別

• Reading: べつ
• Romaji: betsu
• Kanji breakdown: 別 (betsu) — separate, different, another
• Pronunciation: /be.t͡sɯ/

Meaning

Different; separate; another. Indicates distinction or separation between things.

A na-adjective and noun expressing separation or difference. 別の＋noun means 'a different ~' or 'another ~.' The adverbial form 別に, when used with a negative, means 'not particularly' or 'not really' — one of the most common casual expressions in Japanese. Can also function as a prefix meaning 'separate' (別々 = separately).

Examples

1. それは別の問題だと思います。 I think that's a different issue.
2. 別に気にしなくてもいいですよ。 It's not a big deal — don't worry about it.
3. あの二人は別の学校に通っています。 Those two go to different schools.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, conversation, comparison

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 別 depicts a knife (刂) separating bone from flesh (另). The core meaning of physical separation extended to abstract concepts of difference and distinction.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal