Japanese word of the day: 別々 (Separate)

What does 別々 (Betsubetsu) mean?

別々 (Betsubetsu) (noun/adjective) — Separately, individually. A state where two or more things are apart or treated distinctly from each other.

Kanji details for 別

Character: 別 — separate, branch off, diverge, fork, another, extra, specially
Radical: knife, sword 刀 (刂)

Example sentences with 別々 (Betsubetsu) 

• 最初は別々だったんですがある日一緒行き帰りするようになりました。
  (Saisho wa betsubetsu dattan desu ga aru hi issho iki kaeri suru yō ni narimashita.)
  🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️ At first we used to go separately, but one day we started going and returning together.

• 別々に払います。
  (Betsubetsu ni haraimasu.)
  💰 Please bill us separately.

• これを別々に包んでいただけますか？
  (Kore o betsubetsu ni tsutsunde itadakemasu ka?)
  🎁 Could you wrap this separately, please?

別々 in context

In Japanese culture, the concept of 別々 (betsubetsu) reflects a practical approach to many social situations. When dining out with friends or colleagues, it's common to hear "別々に払います" (betsubetsu ni haraimasu) when people want to split the bill individually rather than equally.

The word is composed of the kanji 別 (betsu) meaning "separate" or "different," duplicated to intensify the concept of separation. This type of duplication is common in Japanese to reinforce meaning.

別々 can be used as both a na-adjective (別々な/betsubetsu na) and as an adverb (別々に/betsubetsu ni), making it versatile in conversation. When used as an adjective, it describes things that are separate or distinct, while as an adverb, it describes actions done separately.