Recognize 別 in words such as 別れる and 特別; connect each whole word with its reading and meaning.

The idea

Common Chinese-derived readings include ベツ. Japanese-origin readings include わかれる. Compare 別れる (わかれる) with 特別 (とくべつ). 別 has 7 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
別れるわかれるto part from someone
特別とくべつspecial
別々べつべつseparate; separately
別べつother; separate

Examples

  • 今日きょうは特別とくべつな日ひです。Today is a special day.
  • これは友達ともだちへの特別とくべつな贈おくり物ものです。This is a special gift for a friend.
  • 駅えきで友達ともだちと別わかれました。I said goodbye to my friend at the station.
  • 会計かいけいは別々べつべつにしてください。Please split the bill.
  • 別べつの席せきに座すわります。I sit in another seat.
  • 別べつの色いろはありますか。Do you have another colour?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

人と別れる means parting from someone; 別の comes before a noun meaning another or different one. Compare 別 with 利: look for 口 in 別.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 別れる in hiragana.

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    わかれる

    別れる is read わかれる; the whole word means to part from someone.

  2. Write the reading of 特別 in hiragana.

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    とくべつ

    特別 is read とくべつ; the whole word means special.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿々（べつべつ）.

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    別

    別 completes 別々, read べつべつ; the whole word means separate; separately.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 別 from memory, and read 別れる and 特別 aloud. Make a sentence, then check the readings and meanings.