分离 fēnlí to separate
How to remember 分离: 分 divide + 离 leave = to separate.
Characters
How it is used
- To separate / become separated - 骨肉分离 (gǔròu fēnlí) family members torn apart; 油水分离 (yóu shuǐ fēnlí) oil separating from water.
- For physical, chemical, or emotional separation of things once together.
- More formal/technical than 分开 (fēnkāi, to separate, everyday) - 分离 often implies a wrenching or scientific split.
Example sentences
- 我们一家人永远不分离。 Wǒmen yījiārén yǒngyuǎn bù fēnlí.Our family will never be separated.