別れる
wakareru[β̞a̠ka̠ɾe̞ɾɯ̟]
The English phrase 'break up' can be translated into Japanese as 別れる (wakareru). If unsure, use 別れる. Wiktionary also lists 手を切る (te o kiru).
Meaning: to end a relationship (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 別れる | wakareru | [β̞a̠ka̠ɾe̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 手を切る | te o kiru | [te̞ o̞ kʲiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
別れる is used to mean to separate or to part ways. While it is the standard term for a romantic breakup, it can also be used in a more general sense to describe people parting ways or being separated.
Which one should you use?
別れる is the standard way to describe a romantic breakup or to part ways generally. In contrast, 手を切る is a much stronger and more formal expression. It implies a permanent and decisive severance of ties, often used regarding business or criminal connections rather than romantic ones.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 別れる is 別れた, meaning 'broke up'.
How do you pronounce it?
wakareru
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the same root used in 別れる is also used to express 'understanding' in the word 分かる.
- The expression 手を切る (te o kiru) literally translates to 'to cut hands', which sounds much more violent in English than its actual meaning of 'severing ties'.
- If you want to say a group has 'broken up' or dissolved, you would use 解散する (kaisan suru) instead of 別れる.
Examples in context
- トムと別れるつもりなの？Are you going to break up with Tom?This sentence uses the form 別れる to ask about an intention to break up.Tatoeba #8814369 by bunbuku, translation #5851612 by CK
- 彼女ね、彼と別れるつもりなのよ。She plans to break up with her boyfriend.This sentence uses the form 別れる to describe someone's plan to break up.Tatoeba #9089406 by small_snow, translation #394801 by CK
- 最近、別れちゃったんだよI recently broke up.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a recent breakup at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota結衣と別れることになったんだ。Yui to wakareru koto ni natta nda.I've decided to break up with Yui.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当に？何かあったの？E, hontou ni? Nanika atta no?What, really? Did something happen?
- 陽太 Yota価値観の違いで、別れることにしたよ。Kachikan no chigai de, wakareru koto ni shita yo.We decided to break up because of different values.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、元気出してね。Youta-kun, genki dashite ne.Cheer up, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break up” translations and entries 別れる, 手を切る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
