Korean word

이별

Pronunciation

Romanizationibyeol

Meaning

  • nounparting

Example

공항에서 가족과 이별을 했다.kong hang e seo ka jok kkwa i byeo reul haet tta

I said goodbye to my family at the airport.

Illustration for 이별 (parting)

More examples

이별은 누구에게나 힘들다.i byeo reun nu gu e ge na him deul da

Parting is hard for everyone.

Core concept

A shared connection comes to an end as people or groups separate and continue apart.

Common phrases

  • 이별을 겪다i byeo reul kyeok tta

    experience a parting

  • 이별의 기억i byeo rui ki eok

    memory of parting

Similar words

헤어짐heeojim: An everyday personal separation that may be temporary or may end a relationship.
작별chakppyeol: A formal farewell expressed through words or gestures before someone leaves.

Definition in Korean

사람이나 집단이 서로 떨어져 따로 있게 되는 일이나 그런 상태를 가리키는 명사.sa ra mi na chip tta ni seo ro tteo reo jeo tta ro it kke toe neun i ri na keu reon sang tae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

The word comes from a Sino-Korean compound whose parts express leaving and separation, making its meaning easy to connect with people going apart.

Usage tips

  • The word is broader than the English word breakup, because it also applies when family members or friends part without ending their relationship.

Other meanings

  • breakupnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 이별하다ibyeolhadapartverb

Word lists with this word