決別・訣別|けつべつketsubetsu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
決別決別 is the more common form and is written entirely in kanji; it is the form beginners should use by default.
訣別訣別 is a less common kanji-only variant of 決別. Beginners should generally choose 決別 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbseparation; farewell; parting
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 決別する（けつべつする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 決別します（けつべつします） |
| Negative (nai) | 決別しない（けつべつしない） |
| polite (masen) | 決別しません（けつべつしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 決別せず・決別せぬ（けつべつせず・けつべつせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 決別した（けつべつした） |
| polite (mashita) | 決別しました（けつべつしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 決別しなかった（けつべつしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 決別しませんでした（けつべつしませんでした） |
| Te form | 決別して（けつべつして） |
| Potential | 決別できる（けつべつできる） |
| Passive | 決別される（けつべつされる） |
| Causative | 決別させる（けつべつさせる） |
| Causative passive | 決別させられる（けつべつさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 決別すれば（けつべつすれば） |
| tara | 決別したら（けつべつしたら） |
| Volitional | 決別しよう（けつべつしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 決別しましょう（けつべつしましょう） |
| Imperative | 決別しろ（けつべつしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym別れわかれNeutralThe broadest word for parting or breakup, as in 「別れを告げる」; unlike 「決別」, it does not imply a resolute, complete break.
- Synonymお別れおわかれNeutralA polite form of 「別れ」, used in daily life and ceremonies such as 「お別れ会」; 「決別」 suggests a resolute, decisive break.
- Related暇乞いいとまごいWrittenWritten/formal prose for taking one's leave or requesting leave, as in 「暇乞いに伺う」; 「決別」 implies a resolute, complete break.
- Related辞去じきょWrittenWritten/formal prose for courteously taking leave after paying one's respects to one's host; 「決別」 is a resolute break, not a polite departure.
- Antonym再会さいかいNeutralA neutral word for a reunion after long separation; it stands opposite 「決別」 as meeting again versus parting.
- Antonym邂逅かいこうWrittenWritten/formal prose for a chance encounter; it stands opposite 「決別」 as an unexpected meeting versus a parting.
Use 「決別」 for a resolute, complete break with a person or the past, as in 「過去と決別する」. For ordinary partings use 「別れ」, politely 「お別れ」; for taking one's leave, 「暇乞い」. Opposites: 「再会」 (reunion) and 「邂逅」 (chance meeting).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
