分解

• Pinyin: fēn jiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 分 = to divide; 解 = to untie/dissolve

Meaning

To decompose; to break down; to resolve into components. Separating a whole into its parts.

Used in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and everyday contexts. Can describe chemical decomposition, breaking down complex problems, or analyzing something into constituent elements.

Examples

1. 细菌可以分解有机物。 Bacteria can decompose organic matter.
2. 老师把这道难题分解成几个简单的步骤。 The teacher broke down this difficult problem into several simple steps.
3. 塑料需要几百年才能完全分解。 Plastic takes hundreds of years to fully decompose.

Usage Guide

Context: science, analysis, environment

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 让我来分解一下这个问题。(Let me break down this problem.)
• 水可以被分解成氢气和氧气。(Water can be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen.)

Don't Say

• 分解这个苹果 (For simply cutting or slicing food, use 切 — 分解 implies breaking into chemical or structural components)

Origin & History

Compound of 分 (to divide) + 解 (to untie, dissolve), meaning to separate and break apart.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal