分かれる

• Reading: わかれる
• Romaji: wakareru
• Kanji breakdown: 分 (bun/wa) — divide, part, minute
• Pronunciation: /wa.ka.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To branch off; to diverge; to split into parts. To separate into different directions or groups.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. Different from 別れる (to part from someone). Used when roads fork (道が分かれる), opinions divide (意見が分かれる), or groups split up. The focus is on division into separate paths or categories rather than emotional separation.

Examples

1. この先で道が二つに分かれる。 The road splits into two up ahead.
2. 賛成と反対で意見が分かれた。 Opinions were divided between those for and against.
3. チームは三つのグループに分かれて行動した。 The team split into three groups and took action.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, discussion, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Intransitive form derived from 分ける (wakeru, to divide). The kanji 分 depicts a knife (刀) dividing something (八), representing the act of splitting apart.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal