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7 strokes
Frequency: 214
JLPT N3
Grade 4

Meanings

separate
branch off
diverge
fork
another
extra
specially

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ベツ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
わか.れる
わ.ける
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
べっ

Common Words

わけ
Noun
Freq #154
1

Historical term

lord (hereditary title for imperial descendants in outlying regions)

つに
Adverb
Freq #293
1

With neg. sentence

(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) specially

Examples
たまにまる一日ぼけっとしていても別に悪い事じゃない。
It's no crime to just idle the whole day once in a while.
2

separately; apart; additionally; extra

Examples
ソースを別にください。
I'd like the sauce on the side.
べち
Freq #355
1

Common noun

distinction; difference; discrimination

2

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'; Adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi); Common noun

separate; different; another; extra

Examples
また別のときにチェスをしましょう。
Let's play chess another time.
3

Common noun; Oft. as 別として

exception; exclusion

4

Noun, used as a suffix

classified by; ranked by; according to

Examples
これらの本を主題別に分類してください。
Please classify these books by subject.
くべつ
~な Adj.
Adverb
Noun
~の Adj.
Freq #819
1

special; particular; extraordinary; exceptional; especial

Examples
特別価格の見積りです。
We have quoted special prices.
かれ
Intransitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #1194
1

to part (usu. of people); to part from; to part with; to be apart from

Examples
あなたが彼女と別れるのは賢明である。
You will do well to leave her.
2

to separate (of a couple); to break up; to divorce

3

to lose (e.g. one's mother); to be bereaved

別ける
Transitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #1295
1

to divide (into); to split (into); to part; to separate; to divide up; to classify; to sort out; to divide out

Examples
彼は自分の本を5分野に分けた
He grouped his books into five categories.
ケーキをあなた方2人で分けなさい。
Divide the cake between you two.
2

to share; to distribute; to deal out; to dish out

Examples
母は子供たちに金をわけてやった。
The mother divided the money among her children.
3

to distinguish; to discriminate; to differentiate (between)

Examples
君は夢と現実を分けることができないのか。
Can't you divorce fantasy from reality?
4

to break up (a fight); to mediate

5

to call a draw; to tie

6

to push one's way through (a crowd)

7

Also written as 頒ける

to sell

かれ
Noun
Freq #4283
1

parting; separation; farewell

Examples
会うは別れの始め。
To meet is to part.
つじん
べつにん
Noun
Freq #4349
1

different person; another person; someone else; changed man

Examples
厳しいしつけでその子は別人のようになった。
Discipline transformed the child.
わかれ
Polite
Noun
Freq #4607
1

parting; farewell

Examples
お別れを言いにちょっと立ち寄ってみました。
I just dropped in to say goodbye.
べつ
~する Verb
Noun
Transitive
Freq #5438
1

distinction; differentiation; discrimination; difference

Examples
私は彼女と妹を区別できなかった。
I couldn't tell her from her sister.

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

separate

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

bound up
saber
🧩 sabre
sword
mouth

Mnemonic Stories

The prisoner’s mouth was bound up as the guards prepared the ceremonial saber - he was about to have his head separated from his body.

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Master this Kanji through Practice

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