fan1 lei4分離分离
Jyutpingfan1 lei4
Yalefān lèih
Definition
To separate, split, or part ways; to go from being close together to being apart.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Separation in a physical sense is usually expressed using 分開. Using 分離 often carries a more formal, literary, or emotional weight, frequently appearing in contexts involving long-term estrangement, death, or abstract concepts like political or religious separation. It sounds significantly more serious than the everyday term 分開.
Examples
The two of them have been separated for a long time.
Why do you have to separate from me?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 分離 in casual settings where 分開 is much more natural. Avoid using it for simple actions like separating ingredients or splitting a bill, as it sounds overly dramatic or academic in those contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
