separar
/sepaˈɾaɾ/
The English verb 'separate' is translated into Spanish as separar. Wiktionary also lists cisionar.
Meaning: to divide into separate parts (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| separar | /sepaˈɾaɾ/ | |
| cisionar | /θisjonaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sisjonaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Peru |
Separar is used to describe both physical separation, such as separating sand from gold and abstract separation, such as separating politics from religion.
Which one should you use?
While separar is the standard term, the word separado is a related adjective form that means 'separated' or 'apart' and it can also mean 'not together with' when followed by the word 'from'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, the term cisionar is used to mean to separate or cut. In Mexico and Colombia, the word apartar can be used to convey the idea of 'separate' or 'set aside'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Separar is a regular -ar verb. The related form separado is a past participle that can function as an adjective meaning 'separated' or 'apart'.
How do you pronounce it?
/sepaˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a unique word desapego derived from the idea of separating or detaching, which describes a specific emotional state of healthy detachment or lack of obsession.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase separar is used when making a reservation at a store or restaurant, similar to the English 'holding' or 'saving' an item.
- The Latin root of separar originally combined 'se' meaning 'apart' and 'parare' meaning 'to make ready'. In a sense, to separate something in Spanish is literally to 'prepare it apart'.
Examples in context
- No se puede separar la lengua y la cultura.You can't separate language from culture.This sentence shows how to use separar regarding the relationship between language and culture.Tatoeba #576589 by Shishir, translation #239793 by CK
- Debemos separar la política de la religión.We must separate politics from religion.This sentence demonstrates the use of separar for abstract concepts like politics and religion.Tatoeba #1239092 by marcelostockle, translation #248939 by CK
- Te mostraré cómo separar el oro de la arena.I'll show you how to separate gold from sand.This sentence illustrates the use of separar for physical objects like gold and sand.Tatoeba #1586345 by Shishir, translation #243582 by CM
- Es necesario separar los platos sucios de los limpios.It's necessary to separate the dirty dishes from the clean ones.
- La guerra separó a muchas familias.The war separated many families.
- Vamos a partir la pizza en trozos.Let's split the pizza into pieces.
- Por favor, aparta el asiento para mi amigo.Please set aside the seat for my friend.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are cleaning up a messy storage room.
- MateoMaría, ¿podemos separar los juguetes de las herramientas?María, can we separate the toys from the tools?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, es mejor para encontrar todo rápido.Yes, Mateo, it is better for finding everything quickly.
- MateoVoy a separar los juguetes en estas cajas.I am going to separate the toys into these boxes.
- MaríaPerfecto, yo guardaré las herramientas en el armario.Perfect, I will put the tools away in the cabinet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “separate” translations and entries separar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries separar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
