別れ|わかれwakare[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounparting (of people); separation; farewell
   会あうは別わかれの始はじめ。↗

   To meet is to part.
2. nounbreakup

• Synonym決別けつべつWrittenWritten prose for a decisive, once-and-for-all parting, as in 「過去と決別する」; the tone is far more resolute than an ordinary 「別れ」.
• Synonym暇乞いいとまごいWrittenA written, old-fashioned word for taking one's leave; it also covers requesting leave from work or resigning. 「別れ」 is the general term for parting.
• Synonym辞去じきょFormalWritten prose for leaving a place after exchanging greetings, or for quitting a post. 「別れ」 centers on parting from people.
• Synonymお別れおわかれNeutralThe polite way to say 「別れ」, heard mostly at farewell gatherings and memorial services, as in 「お別れ会」.
• Synonym拝辞はいじFormalA humble term for respectfully declining or stepping down from a post, or taking one's leave. 「別れ」 carries no such honorific tone.
• Synonym辞別WrittenRare even in written prose; it means taking one's leave and departing. In everyday speech, say 「別れ」.
• Antonym出会いであいNeutralAn encounter or meeting; the counterpart of 「別れ」 as a parting from someone.
• Antonym再会さいかいNeutralMeeting again after a long separation — a reunion, the opposite of 「別れ」 as a separation.

Use 「別れ」 for parting from people or a breakup. For a polite farewell say 「お別れ」; for a decisive break with the past, 「決別」; for taking leave or asking for time off, 「暇乞い」. 「再会」 is the reunion that follows a 「別れ」.

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

1. 「わかれる」の未然形みぜんけい及および連用形れんようけい。