分开

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Character Breakdown

Usage of 分开

The verb 分开 (fēnkāi) primarily means "to separate" or "to divide." It is commonly used when talking about physically or conceptually splitting things apart, such as dividing food, separating trash, or living apart from someone.

Common contexts

  • Dividing items or portions: e.g., 分开 (eat separately).
  • Physical separation of people or objects: e.g., 分开 (live apart).
  • Sorting or categorizing: e.g., 垃圾分开 (separate trash).

Collocations and patterns

  • ...分开: a common structure to indicate the action of separating something.
  • 分开: to live separately, often used in relationships or roommates.
  • 分开处理: to handle separately, often in work or administrative contexts.

Nuances

Using 分开 implies a clear division or separation, often physical but sometimes abstract. It differs from similar verbs like 分割 (fēngē) which is more formal and often used for cutting or dividing into parts, or 分离 (fēnlí) which emphasizes separation or detachment.

Avoid confusing 分开 with (kāi) alone, which means "to open" but does not imply separation by itself.

Example Sentences

Let's eat the cake separately.

They decided to live apart because their workplaces are different.

Please separate the trash when throwing it away; plastics and paper should