裂ける・割ける|さけるsakeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
裂ける裂ける(さける) is the more common written form and the one beginners should normally choose in their own writing. It uses a mixture of kanji and kana.
割ける割ける(さける) is a less common written form than 裂ける(さける). It also uses a mixture of kanji and kana, so learners should generally prefer 裂ける(さける).
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, intransitive verbto split; to tear; to burst; to be separated; to be divided
    この布ぬのは裂さけやすい。↗
    This cloth tears easily.
Conjugation
Dictionary form裂ける(さける)
Polite (masu)裂けます(さけます)
Negative (nai)裂けない(さけない)
polite (masen)裂けません(さけません)
classical zu / nu裂けず・裂けぬ(さけず・さけぬ)
Past (ta)裂けた(さけた)
polite (mashita)裂けました(さけました)
Past negative (nakatta)裂けなかった(さけなかった)
polite (masen deshita)裂けませんでした(さけませんでした)
Te form裂けて(さけて)
Potential裂けられる(さけられる)
Passive裂けられる(さけられる)
Causative裂けさせる(さけさせる)
Causative passive裂けさせられる(さけさせられる)
Conditional (ba)裂ければ(さければ)
tara裂けたら(さけたら)
Volitional裂けよう(さけよう)
polite (mashou)裂けましょう(さけましょう)
Imperative裂けろ(さけろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive裂けるさける⇄transitive裂くさく
布ぬのが裂さける
布ぬのを裂さく
裂ける presents the tearing as a change of state happening to the subject (布が裂ける), without focusing on a cause; 裂く specifies an agent acting on the object (布を裂く).

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym裂くさくNeutralTransitive: to tear something apart or forcibly separate things, such as a couple. 「裂ける」 is intransitive and describes things splitting.
  • Related割るわるNeutralTransitive: to break, cut open or divide something, including division in math. 「裂ける」 is intransitive, for cloth, wood and the like splitting.
  • Related破るやぶるNeutralSame word as the entry above; 「破る」 is just an alternative spelling here. When read 「やぶる」 it is a different word.
  • AntonymつながるNeutralAntonym: to be connected or joined together, the opposite of 「裂ける」, which is about splitting and coming apart.
  • AntonymくっつくCasualColloquial antonym: to stick or cling tightly together, the opposite of 「裂ける」 splitting apart.

Use the intransitive 「裂ける」 when things split, as in 「布が裂ける」 or 「口が裂けても言えない」. To tear something open say 「裂く」; to break or split it, 「割る」. The opposites are 「繋がる」 and 「くっ付く」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 物ものが一直線いっちょくせんに切きれて分わかれる。
  2. 【裂さける・割さける】「裂さく」、「割さく」の可能かのう動詞どうし。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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