分别 (fēnbié)

分别 means separately or respectively, indicating that items or people are dealt with individually, and can also mean to part from someone.

Meanings

[adverb] separately, respectively, each in turn
[verb] to part from or separate from someone

Example Sentences

这两种方法分别有不同的优点。 Zhè liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ fēnbié yǒu bùtóng de yōudiǎn. These two methods each have different advantages.

他们在机场分别了，各自回到了自己的国家。 Tāmen zài jīchǎng fēnbié le, gèzì huídào le zìjǐ de guójiā. They parted at the airport and each returned to their own country.

这三个问题将分别由三位专家来回答。 Zhè sān gè wèntí jiāng fēnbié yóu sān wèi zhuānjiā lái huídá. These three questions will be answered respectively by three experts.

他们分别了三年，终于重逢了。 Tāmen fēnbié le sān nián, zhōngyú chóngféng le. They had been apart for three years and finally reunited.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
分别介绍	introduce respectively
分别处理	handle separately
依依分别	part with reluctance
各自分别	each separately

Usage Notes

分别 has two distinct uses: as an adverb meaning "separately" or "respectively" (used before verbs), and as a verb meaning "to part from someone." Context usually makes the meaning clear. The adverbial use is more common in formal writing, while the verb use often appears in more emotional or literary contexts.

Memory Hook

分 means "to divide" and 别 means "to separate," so 分别 is to divide and go separate ways, either literally or figuratively.