fēnbié: 分别 - Separately, To Distinguish, To Part

• Keywords: fenbie, 分别, separately in Chinese, to distinguish in Chinese, part ways in Chinese, difference between in Chinese, Chinese grammar 分别, Chinese adverb, Chinese verb
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 分别 (fēnbié), a versatile and essential HSK 4 word in Chinese. This page explains how fēnbié functions as an adverb meaning “separately” or “respectively,” a verb for “to part ways” or “to distinguish,” and even a noun for “difference.” Learn its cultural context, see practical examples, and understand how to use it correctly to make your Chinese sound more structured and natural.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēnbié
• Part of Speech: Adverb, Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To part or leave each other; to distinguish or differentiate; separately or respectively.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 分别 (fēnbié) as a word that brings order and clarity by highlighting separation. As an adverb, it specifies that actions happen “separately” or “respectively,” not all together. As a verb, it describes the separation of people (“parting ways”) or the separation of ideas (“distinguishing between” them). It's a fundamental word for structuring sentences and expressing concepts of division and distinction.

• 分 (fēn): The core meaning is “to divide,” “to separate,” or “part.” The character is often visualized as a knife (刀) dividing something (八). It points to the act of splitting something into smaller pieces.
• 别 (bié): This character means “to leave,” “to separate,” “other,” or “different.” The radical on the right (刂) is a variation of the knife character (刀), again reinforcing the idea of cutting or separating.
• Together, 分别 (fēnbié) literally combines “divide” and “separate,” creating a powerful and unambiguous term for all kinds of separation—whether physical, temporal, or conceptual.

While a highly functional word, 分别 (fēnbié) as a verb for “parting” carries a subtle cultural weight. In Western cultures, a “goodbye” can be very casual. However, the act of 分别 (fēnbié) in China often implies a more significant or prolonged separation. It's not typically used for a friend you'll see tomorrow. This connects to the cultural importance placed on relationships (关系, guānxi). A 分别 is a notable event that marks a pause or end to a period of togetherness. Farewells can be more formal and emotional, acknowledging the transition. For example, a graduation or a move to another city would be a true 分别, often marked by a farewell dinner where feelings and well-wishes are shared. This contrasts with the quick “see ya!” common in many English-speaking contexts. The term thus reflects a more deliberate and acknowledged sense of parting.

分别 is incredibly common and its meaning changes based on its grammatical role.

This is the most frequent use. It clarifies that multiple subjects perform an action individually, or that an action is performed on multiple objects one by one. It adds structure and precision.

• Formality: Neutral, used in both spoken and written Chinese.
• Connotation: Purely functional, no emotional color.

This describes the mutual act of two or more people separating.

• Formality: Can be neutral to formal.
• Connotation: Often carries a slightly sad, nostalgic, or serious tone, implying a separation of some significance. It's much heavier than 再见 (zàijiàn).

This is used to talk about telling two or more things apart. It's slightly more formal than its synonym 区分 (qūfēn).

• Formality: Neutral to formal.
• Connotation: Intellectual, objective.

This usage is less common in conversation than the word 区别 (qūbié), but appears in more formal or literary writing.

• Formality: Formal.
• Connotation: Literary, analytical.

• Example 1: (Adverb - Separately)
  • 吃完饭，我们分别回家了。
  • Pinyin: Chī wán fàn, wǒmen fēnbié huí jiā le.
  • English: After finishing the meal, we went home separately.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use of 分别 as an adverb. It clarifies that the group didn't go home together; each person went their own way.
• Example 2: (Adverb - Respectively)
  • 老师分别给了小明和小红一本书。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī fēnbié gěile Xiǎo Míng hé Xiǎo Hóng yī běn shū.
  • English: The teacher gave Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong a book each, respectively.
  • Analysis: Here, 分别 shows the action (giving a book) was applied to each recipient individually. It avoids the ambiguity of whether they received one book to share.
• Example 3: (Verb - To Part Ways)
  • 我们大学毕业后就分别了，已经十年没见了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dàxué bìyè hòu jiù fēnbié le, yǐjīng shí nián méi jiàn le.
  • English: We parted ways after graduating from university and haven't seen each other for ten years.
  • Analysis: This use of 分别 as a verb has a nostalgic and slightly sad tone, highlighting a significant, long-term separation.
• Example 4: (Verb - To Distinguish)
  • 你能分别出这两种声音吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng fēnbié chū zhè liǎng zhǒng shēngyīn ma?
  • English: Can you distinguish between these two sounds?
  • Analysis: Here, 分别 is a verb meaning “to tell apart.” The resultative complement `出 (chū)` indicates the successful outcome of the action “to distinguish.”
• Example 5: (Noun - Difference)
  • 这两种做法的分别在于细节。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng zhǒng zuòfǎ de fēnbié zàiyú xìjié.
  • English: The difference between these two methods lies in the details.
  • Analysis: This is a more formal, literary use of 分别 as a noun. In everyday conversation, most people would use `区别 (qūbié)`.
• Example 6: (Adverb - Multiple Actions)
  • 他今天下午分别见了两个客户，谈了三个项目。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān xiàwǔ fēnbié jiànle liǎng gè kèhù, tánle sān gè xiàngmù.
  • English: This afternoon, he separately met with two clients and discussed three projects.
  • Analysis: 分别 efficiently structures a sentence with multiple events, indicating they happened as distinct, separate occurrences.
• Example 7: (Verb - A Formal Parting)
  • 我们就在这里分别吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiù zài zhèlǐ fēnbié ba.
  • English: Let's part ways here.
  • Analysis: This sounds quite formal and final. You might say this at an airport or train station to a friend moving away, but it would be overly dramatic for a casual goodbye.
• Example 8: (Verb - To Differentiate, Formal)
  • 很难分别谁是谁非。
  • Pinyin: Hěn nán fēnbié shéi shì shéi fēi.
  • English: It's very difficult to distinguish who is right and who is wrong.
  • Analysis: This is a common set phrase used to describe a complex situation where assigning blame is not easy. 分别 here means “to discern” or “to judge.”
• Example 9: (Adverb - Instructions)
  • 请把这些文件分别放在三个不同的文件夹里。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē wénjiàn fēnbié fàng zài sān gè bùtóng de wénjiànjiā lǐ.
  • English: Please put these documents into three different folders separately.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of how 分别 is used in instructions to ensure clarity and precision. The action “put” applies to the documents individually.
• Example 10: (Verb - Duration of Parting)
  • 他们分别了五年后，终于又重逢了。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen fēnbié le wǔ nián hòu, zhōngyú yòu chóngféng le.
  • English: After being separated for five years, they were finally reunited.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 分别 to define a period of separation. It treats “parting” as a state that lasted for a duration.

• 分别 (fēnbié) vs. 离开 (líkāi):
  • 分别 is a mutual action. `我们分别了` means “We parted from each other.”
  • 离开 (líkāi) is a one-way action. `我离开了他` means “I left him.” `他离开北京` means “He left Beijing.” You cannot say `我们离开`.
• 分别 (fēnbié) vs. 单独 (dāndú): This is a very common point of confusion.
  • 分别 = Separately / Respectively. It implies multiple subjects doing things in parallel but not together.
    • Correct: 他们分别开车上班。(Tāmen fēnbié kāichē shàngbān.) - They drove to work in separate cars.
  • 单独 (dāndú) = Alone / By oneself. It implies a single subject doing something without company.
    • Correct: 他单独开车上班。(Tā dāndú kāichē shàngbān.) - He drove to work alone.
    • Incorrect: `他们单独开车上班` is grammatically wrong, as `他们` (they) is plural and conflicts with `单独` (alone).
• Don't overuse it for “Goodbye”: Saying `我们分别吧` is not a casual “Let's go our separate ways.” It's very formal and suggests a significant parting. For everyday goodbyes, stick to `再见 (zàijiàn)` or `我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le)`.
• Noun Usage is Formal: While grammatically correct, using 分别 as a noun for “difference” can sound overly literary in casual conversation. The word `区别 (qūbié)` is much more common and natural for that meaning.

• 区别 (qūbié) - The most common word for “difference” or “distinction.” Where 分别 can be a verb, adverb, or noun, 区别 is primarily a noun or verb.
• 离开 (líkāi) - To leave (a place or person). It's a one-way action, unlike the mutual parting of 分别.
• 分手 (fēnshǒu) - To break up (in a romantic relationship). This is a very specific, and often emotional, type of 分别.
• 告别 (gàobié) - To bid farewell; to say goodbye. This is a more formal and intentional act than a simple parting.
• 各自 (gèzì) - Each; respectively. A common adverb that functions very similarly to 分别 and is often used interchangeably in sentences like `他们各自回家了` (They each went home).
• 单独 (dāndú) - Alone; by oneself. Describes an action done by one person, contrasting with 分别 which describes actions by multiple people.
• 分离 (fēnlí) - To separate. Often implies a more forceful or abstract separation (e.g., separating chemicals, separating family due to war). It carries a stronger sense of being torn apart than 分别.