Japanese Conversation · Level 86
60 words
Japanese word
分裂
Pronunciation
Romajibunretsu
Meaning
- nounsplit
Example
細胞が分裂します。sai bō ga bun retsu shi ma su
The cells split.
More examples
長年の対立が、党内の分裂を招きました。naga nen no tai ritsu ga tō nai no bun retsu o mane ki ma shi ta
Years of conflict caused a split within the party.
Core concept
Describes a whole becoming separate parts or groups, often with its original unity no longer remaining.
Common phrases
細胞分裂sai bō bun retsu
cell division
分裂を招くbun retsu o mane ku
cause a split
Similar words
分割bunkatsu: The act of dividing a whole into separate parts, often in a planned way.
分離bunri: The process or state of things becoming separate from each other.
分断bundan: The breaking of a united whole or group into disconnected parts.
Definition in Japanese
細胞や組織、集団などがいくつかに分かれること。sai bō ya so shiki shū dan na do ga i ku tsu ka ni wa ka re ru ko to
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 分裂 (bunretsu) combines 分 (bun, "divide") and 裂 (retsu, "tear apart"), joining the ideas of division and separation.
Usage tips
- In biology, English commonly uses cell division for the process, while split often describes the resulting separation, so 分裂 (bunretsu) can cover both perspectives.