別 — Separate, Different, Another

Meaning

The kanji 別 (べつ, わか.れる) primarily conveys the meanings of 'separation,' 'distinction,' and 'difference.' It also extends to mean 'another' or 'special.' Essentially, 別 signifies the state or act of being apart, set aside, or not the same. For JLPT N4 learners, understanding this versatile kanji is key to expressing various nuances of division, individuality, and uniqueness in Japanese.

Historically, 別 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines a semantic component (radical) that hints at its general meaning category, and a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation. The left part, 骨 (こつ), typically meaning 'bone,' serves mainly as a phonetic component here, indicating the 'betsu' sound. The right part, 刂 (りっとう), is the radical and represents a 'knife' or 'saber.' This knife radical suggests an action of cutting, dividing, or distinguishing. Visually, you can imagine a knife being used to cut or separate things. This leads directly to the concept of 'separation' or 'making things distinct from one another,' reinforcing the kanji's core meaning of being set apart or differentiated by division.

This kanji consists of 7 strokes and is taught in Grade 4 of Japanese elementary school, making it a foundational character for JLPT N4 students. Grasping its root meaning of 'separation' is essential for understanding its diverse applications in compound words and phrases.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary on'yomi for 別 is ベツ (betsu). This reading is derived from Chinese and is most commonly used when 別 forms part of a compound word (熟語, jukugo) with other kanji. It typically conveys meanings of 'separation,' 'difference,' 'another,' or 'special.' You'll often find it at the beginning or end of compounds, signaling a conceptual division or distinctness.

• 特別とくべつ (tokubetsu) — This compound means 'special' or 'particular.' The kanji 特 (toku) means 'special,' so together they highlight uniqueness or an extraordinary quality. For example, これは私にとって特別これはわたしにとってとくべつな日ひです。 (Kore wa watashi ni totte tokubetsu na hi desu.) — This is a special day for me.
• 別々べつべつ (betsubetsu) — A reduplication of the kanji, meaning 'separately' or 'individually.' It's commonly used when handling or considering two or more things separately. For instance, おお 会計かいけいは別々べつべつでお願いします。 (Okaikei wa betsubetsu de onegai shimasu.) — Please make the bill separate (for each person).
• 別のべつの (betsu no) — This phrase means 'another' or 'different.' It refers to something other than what was previously mentioned, or suggests an alternative. Example: 別べつの本ほんを読よみたい。 (Betsu no hon o yomitai.) — I want to read another book.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi for 別 link the kanji to native Japanese words, often verbs or nouns. You'll see these readings when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名), the hiragana endings that complete a word. They capture the active or state-of-being aspect of separation.

• 別れるわかれる (wakareru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to separate from,' 'to part ways,' or 'to break up.' It implies an end to togetherness or a divergence, particularly in relationships or physical proximity. For example, 彼かれとは駅えきで別わかれた。 (Kare to wa eki de wakareta.) — I parted ways with him at the station. Another example: 夫婦ふうふが別わかれる。 (Fūfu ga wakareru.) — A couple separates (divorces).
• 別けるわける (wakeru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to divide,' 'to separate,' or 'to distinguish.' While similar to 分けるわける (also meaning to divide), 別けるわける often emphasizes setting things apart based on differences, categorizing them, or making a distinction. For example, 種類別しゅるいべつに別わける。 (Shuruibetsu ni wakeru.) — To separate by type/category. Or, 公私こうしを別わける。 (Kōshi o wakeru.) — To separate public and private matters.
• 別れわかれ (wakare) — This is a noun meaning 'parting' or 'farewell.' It refers to the act or moment of separating or saying goodbye. For instance, 別わかれの言葉ことば (wakare no kotoba) — words of farewell.
• 別けてわけて (wakete) — This is the te-form of 別けるわける, often used adverbially or to connect clauses. It can imply 'separately' or 'by making a distinction.' For example, 別わけて考かんがえる。 (Wakete kangaeru.) — To consider separately.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 別 appears in numerous common words and compounds, reflecting its many uses in expressing separation, distinction, and uniqueness. Understanding these compounds is essential for expanding your vocabulary and understanding nuanced Japanese expressions.

• Words related to General Separation & Difference:

• 別々べつべつ (betsubetsu) — separately, individually. This is a common way to indicate that items or people are handled individually. Example: 別々べつべつに行いこう。 (Betsubetsu ni ikō.) — Let's go separately.

• 別のべつの (betsu no) — another, different. Refers to an alternative or something not previously mentioned. Example: 別べつの道みちを選えらぶ。 (Betsu no michi o erabu.) — To choose a different path.

• 区別くべつ (kubetsu) — distinction, differentiation, telling apart. This refers to recognizing or highlighting differences between things. Example: 善悪ぜんあくの区別くべつ (zen'aku no kubetsu) — distinction between good and evil.

• 性別せいべつ (seibetsu) — gender, sex. A classification for individuals. Example: 性別せいべつを問とわない。 (Seibetsu o towanai.) — Not asking for gender.

• 差別さべつ (sabetsu) — discrimination. The act of treating individuals or groups differently, often unfairly. Example: 人種差別じんしゅさべつ (jinshu sabetsu) — racial discrimination.

• Words related to Specialness & Emphasis:

• 特別とくべつ (tokubetsu) — special, particular. Something out of the ordinary or given unique attention. Example: 特別とくべつな企画きかく (tokubetsu na kikaku) — a special project.

• 格別かくべつ (kakubetsu) — exceptional, particular. Denotes something outstanding or distinctly superior. Example: 格別かくべつな味あじ (kakubetsu na aji) — an exceptional taste.

• 別格べっかく (bekkaku) — special class, extraordinary. Refers to something or someone in a league of their own. Example: 彼かれは別格べっかくの才能さいのうがある。 (Kare wa bekkaku no sainō ga aru.) — He has extraordinary talent.

• Words related to Parting & Farewell:

• 別れわかれ (wakare) — parting, farewell. The emotional act of saying goodbye. Example: 別わかれの時とき (wakare no toki) — time of parting.

• 離別りべつ (ribetsu) — separation, divorce (more formal). A legal or formal separation. Example: 裁判上さいばんじょうの離別りべつ (saibanjō no ribetsu) — legal separation.

• Words related to Separate Locations & Categories:

• 別荘べっそう (bessō) — villa, holiday home. A separate residence for leisure. Example: 山やまの中なかの別荘べっそう (yama no naka no bessō) — a villa in the mountains.

• 別館べっかん (bekkan) — annex, separate building. A building that is part of a larger complex but stands apart. Example: 別館べっかんで会議かいぎが開ひらかれる。 (Bekkan de kaigi ga hirakareru.) — The meeting will be held in the annex.

• 種類別しゅるいべつ (shuruibetsu) — by type, by category. Used for classification or sorting. Example: 種類別しゅるいべつに並ならべる。 (Shuruibetsu ni naraberu.) — To arrange by type.

Example Sentences

Related Kanji

• 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
• 以 — By Means Of, With, From (Kanji N4)
• 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
• 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
• 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
• 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)

Memory Tip

To remember 別, focus on its components and visualize a story. It's composed of the 'knife' radical (刂) on the right and 骨 (bone/structure) on the left. Although 骨 primarily serves as a phonetic component here, its visual meaning can help create a strong mnemonic. Imagine a skilled chef using a sharp knife (刂) to carefully and precisely separate (別) the meat from a large bone (骨). This vivid image of cutting and dividing helps cement the meaning of 'separation' or 'distinction.' Alternatively, imagine using a knife to cut something into pieces, making them 'different' from the original whole. You could also think of setting one piece 'apart' as 'special' or 'another' item entirely. The knife is a fundamental tool for creating division and distinction.