noun
letter of divorce; declaration of separation
Historical term for a brief divorce notice a husband could give his wife during the Edo period; literally 'three and a half lines'. Now used figuratively or in historical contexts.
江戸時代、夫が妻に三行半を渡せば離婚が成立した。
In the Edo period, if a husband handed his wife a mikudarihan, the divorce was finalized.
noun
breakup; separation; severing of a relationship
Modern figurative extension: ending a non-marital relationship, often with a nuance of a unilateral or abrupt break. Can be used for romantic, business, or personal ties.
彼女から突然の三行半を突きつけられた。
She suddenly handed me a breakup notice.
取引先から三行半を言い渡された。
We were given a notice of termination by our business partner.