別れる

• 読み: わかれる
• ローマ字: wakareru
• 漢字の分解: 別 (separate/divide) + れる (intransitive verb ending) → to separate, to break up
• 発音: /wa.ka.ɾe.ɾu/

意味

To break up with someone — to end a romantic relationship.

別れる is the standard word for breaking up in Japanese. It can be used whether the breakup was mutual or one-sided. Related expressions include 別れ話 (wakare-banashi, breakup talk) and 別れを切り出す (wakare wo kiridasu, to bring up breaking up).

例文

1. 5年付き合った彼氏と別れたばっかりでつらい。
2. 別れるって決めたのに、会うと気持ちが揺れる。
3. 友達が彼女と別れたみたいで、めっちゃ落ち込んでる。

使い方ガイド

場面: friends, general conversation, counseling

トーン: serious, emotional

正しい言い方

• 実は先月別れたんだ。 (Actually, we broke up last month.)
• 別れた方がいいと思う？ (Do you think I should break up with them?)

避ける言い方

• 失恋直後の人に「別れて正解だよ」はタイミングが大事 (Telling someone who just broke up 'it was the right call' requires careful timing — they may not be ready to hear it)

よくある間違い

• Confusing 別れる (wakareru, to break up/part) with 分かれる (wakareru, to split/branch) — same pronunciation but different kanji and meaning

起源と歴史

From 別 (separate/divide) + れる (intransitive verb ending). A standard Japanese verb meaning 'to part/separate,' used for romantic breakups as well as general parting.

文化的背景

時代: Standard Japanese, timeless

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. The standard term for ending a romantic relationship.