別れる
別れる · ichidan verb
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 別れる | 別れない |
| Polite | 別れます | 別れません |
| Past polite | 別れました | 別れませんでした |
| Past | 別れた | 別れなかった |
| Te-form | 別れて | 別れないで |
| Desire | 別れたい | 別れたくない |
| Potential | 別れられるalso 別れれる | 別れられないalso 別れれない |
| Passive | 別れられる | 別れられない |
| Causative | 別れさせる | 別れさせない |
| Causative passive | 別れさせられる | 別れさせられない |
| Volitional | 別れよう | |
| Polite volitional | 別れましょう | |
| Imperative | 別れろ | 別れるな |
| Conditional | 別れれば | 別れなければ |
| Tara conditional | 別れたら | 別れなかったら |
Meanings
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
General parting of people; can be temporary or permanent. Often used with と or に to indicate the person being parted from.
I parted from my friend at the station.
He lives alone, separated from his family.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
Specifically for romantic couples ending their relationship. 離婚する is more formal for divorce, but 別れる is common in everyday speech.
I just broke up with my boyfriend and I'm still feeling down.
I heard those two got divorced soon after getting married.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
lose (a loved one); be bereaved of
Euphemistic use for death, often with ~に別れる. Implies a permanent separation through loss.
He lost his parents when he was young.
After losing his beloved wife, he changed completely.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉と別れるto part ways with someone (say goodbye)
I said goodbye to my friend in front of the station.
- 〈人〉に別れるto lose (a loved one) to death
He lost both his parents while he was still young.
- 〈場所〉で別れるto part (from someone) at a place
We parted at the ticket gate.