French word

séparation

Pronunciation

IPA/sepaʁasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbreakup

Example

La séparation a été difficile pour elle.

The breakup was difficult for her.

Illustration for séparation (breakup)

More examples

La séparation a changé la routine des enfants.

The breakup changed the children's routine.

Core concept

Two partners once joined in one home or bond now continue as separate lives.

Common phrases

  • séparation amoureuse

    romantic breakup

  • séparation à l'amiable

    amicable separation

  • séparation du couple

    couple's breakup

Similar words

rupture: An event that ends a relationship or agreement.
divorce: The legal dissolution of a marriage.
déménagement: The act of moving house and ending a shared household.

Definition in French

Désigne la rupture d'un lien affectif ou la cessation de la vie commune.

Word origin

Séparation comes from Latin separatio, derived from separare, 'to separate', with the same basic idea carried into French.

Usage tips

  • In relationship contexts, séparation means being or living apart and does not by itself mean divorce; divorce is divorce.

Other meanings

  • separationnoun
  • partingnoun

Opposites

  • unionunionnoun
  • réconciliationreconciliationnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word