How to say "breakup" in Japanese

• 分散ぶんさんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbBreakup in the sense of things scattering or being divided up — dispersion or decentralization. It is not the word for the end of a relationship or a gathering.
• お開きおひらきCommon
  nounThe breakup of a gathering: when a party, meeting, wedding or ceremony ends and everyone goes home. It does not refer to a romantic breakup.
  今日きょうの活動かつどうは、これでお開ひらき。↗

  With this, today's activities come to a close.
• 離散りさんCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbBreakup as separation and scattering: people or groups that were together being dispersed, each going a different way. Like 分散, it does not describe a romantic breakup.
• 別れわかれJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe word for a breakup between lovers or partners — the end of a relationship. It can also refer to parting from someone more generally.
• 破局はきょくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA breakup seen as a collapse — the dramatic, often messy end of a relationship or friendship. Colloquial, and stronger than 別れ: the split is a disaster, not just a parting.

For a romantic breakup use 「別れ」, or 破局 when it feels like a collapse; 「お開き」 is the breakup of a party, meeting or ceremony, while 分散 and 離散 describe things scattering or being divided, not relationships.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 分散ぶんさんdispersion
• お開きおひらきbreakup (of a ceremony, wedding, party, meeting, etc.)
• 離散りさんdispersion
• 別れわかれbreakup
• 破局はきょくcollapse (of a relationship)
• はねclose (e.g. of a theatrical performance)