How to say "divide" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 分けるわけるichidan verb, transitive verbThe all-purpose verb for dividing: splitting a whole into parts, sorting things into groups or categories, or separating one thing from another.
- 割るわるgodan verb, transitive verbDividing with a physical image: breaking or splitting a whole into pieces. It is also the verb used when one number is divided by another.
- 区切るくぎるgodan verb, transitive verbDivides by marking boundaries rather than splitting a whole into pieces: setting where one section, period, or area ends and the next begins.
- 仕切るしきるgodan verb, transitive verbPartitioning or marking off space: dividing an area by putting a barrier or boundary between parts, as when a large room is split into separate sections.
- 分かつわかつgodan verb, transitive verbA weightier way to say divide or separate, often abstract: drawing a firm line between two things, as between right and wrong, rather than physically splitting an object.
Use 「分ける」 for the general act of dividing or sorting into parts, 「割る」 for physically splitting a whole into pieces, 「区切る」 for marking boundaries, 「仕切る」 for partitioning space, and 「分かつ」 for abstract or decisive separation.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 分けるわけるto divide (into)
- 割るわるto divide
- 区切るくぎるto divide
- 仕切るしきるto partition
- 分かつわかつto divide
- 振り分けふりわけdivide
- 離すはなすto separate
- 分水嶺ぶんすいれいwatershed
- 隔てるへだてるto separate (by distance, time, etc.)
- 除するじょするto divide (by)
- 打ち割るうちわるto split (by striking)
- 断ち割るたちわるto cut apart
- 分水界ぶんすいかいwatershed
- 分水山脈ぶんすいさんみゃくwatershed
- 分水線ぶんすいせんwatershed
- 分かれるわかれるto separate
- 振り分けるふりわけるto divide (among)
- 画するかくするto demarcate
- 画すかくすto demarcate
- 巷ちまたdivide (e.g. between life and death)
See also
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