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分かれ目 (わかれめ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
fork ; junction ; parting of the ways
Refers to a literal or figurative point where paths, roads, or courses divide. Often used in expressions like 分かれ目に立つ (stand at a crossroads).
じん
生せい
の
分わ
かれ
目め
に
立た
っ
て
いる
気き
が
する
。
I feel like I'm standing at a crossroads in life.
2
noun
turning point
Emphasizes a decisive moment or critical juncture that determines future outcomes. Similar to sense 1 but focuses on the significance of the choice rather than the physical division.
Written forms 分わ かれ 目め Usage 92%
Standard kanji spelling; used in news and general writing.
分わか れ 目め Usage 7%
Variant spelling with 分れ instead of 分かれ; less common but still seen.
別わか れ 目め Usage 1%
Rare variant using 別れ; may be encountered in older texts.
Kanji 分 part, minute of time, segment 別 separate, branch off, diverge Similar words 分ぶん 岐き 点てん 分岐点 is more technical and often used for literal branching points (e.g., roads, railways, blood vessels), while 分かれ目 can be both literal and figurative with a slightly more literary feel.
岐き 路ろ 岐路 is a more formal, literary term for a crossroads or critical juncture, often used in set phrases like 人生の岐路. 分かれ目 is more common in everyday speech and news.
Etymology Compound of 分かれ (continuative form of 分かれる, 'to branch off, diverge') + 目 ('point, mark'). Literally 'dividing point'.
