Readings: ベツ (Onyomi), わか.れる, わ.ける, わ.かれる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Separate, another, different, particularly
The kanji “別” combines “刀” (sword/knife) and “冎” (bone/skeleton, which implies separation or division), depicting the act of cutting apart or separating.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 別 has 7 strokes. It starts with the vertical stroke on the left, followed by the two horizontal strokes, then the vertical hook, and finally the right-side radical (刀) which consists of a vertical stroke and a diagonal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 刂 (りっとう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ベツ (Betsu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- わか.れる (waka.reru)
- わ.ける (wa.keru)
Common Words Using 別
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 特別 | とくべつ | special |
| 別々 | べつべつ | separately, individually |
| 別居 | べっきょ | separation (of a married couple) |
| 別荘 | べっそう | holiday villa, summer house |
| 別件 | べっけん | a separate matter/case |
| 分別 | ぶんべつ | separation, division, discretion |
| 性別 | せいべつ | gender, sex |
| 区別 | くべつ | distinction, differentiation |
| 差別 | さべつ | discrimination |
| 離別 | りべつ | separation, divorce |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 別れる | わかれる | to separate, to part ways |
| 分ける | わける | to divide, to separate, to share |
| 別れ | わかれ | parting, farewell |
| 言い分ける | いいわける | to distinguish in speaking, to explain separately |
| 見分ける | みわける | to distinguish, to tell apart |
| 割り別ける | わりわける | to divide and distribute |
| 住み分ける | すみわける | to live separately |
| 振り分ける | ふりわける | to divide, to allot |
| 分け合う | わけあう | to share |
| 食べ分ける | たべわける | to eat separately/distinguish between foods |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼らは駅で別れた。
Kana: かれらはえきでわかれた。
Romaji: Karera wa eki de wakareta.
English: They parted ways at the station.
Japanese: これは特別な日です。
Kana: これはとくべつなひです。
Romaji: Kore wa tokubetsu na hi desu.
English: This is a special day.
Japanese: ゴミは分別してください。
Kana: ゴミはぶんべつしてください。
Romaji: Gomi wa bunbetsu shite kudasai.
English: Please separate the trash.
Japanese: 荷物を別々に送ってください。
Kana: にもつをべつべつにおくってください。
Romaji: Nimotsu o betsubetsu ni okutte kudasai.
English: Please send the luggage separately.
Japanese: 私たちは来週、大阪で別れる予定だ。
Kana: わたしたちはらいしゅう、おおさかでわかれるよていだ。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa raishuu, Oosaka de wakareru yotei da.
English: We are planning to part ways in Osaka next week.
Japanese: 兄と私は部屋を分けている。
Kana: あにとわたしはへやをわけている。
Romaji: Ani to watashi wa heya o wakete iru.
English: My brother and I share a room (literally, divide a room).
Japanese: 男女の区別なく、皆平等です。
Kana: だんじょのくべつなく、みなびょうどうです。
Romaji: Danjo no kubetsu naku, mina byoudou desu.
English: Everyone is equal regardless of gender.
Japanese: 彼は別荘で夏休みを過ごした。
Kana: かれはべっそうでなつやすみをすごした。
Romaji: Kare wa bessou de natsuyasumi o sugoshita.
English: He spent his summer vacation at his villa.
Japanese: この二つの違いを見分けるのは難しい。
Kana: このふたつのちがいをみわけるのはむずかしい。
Romaji: Kono futatsu no chigai o miwakeru no wa muzukashii.
English: It’s difficult to distinguish the difference between these two.
Japanese: 別れの挨拶をした。
Kana: わかれのあいさつをした。
Romaji: Wakare no aisatsu o shita.
English: I said my goodbyes.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.