分别 (fēnbié)

In Chinese, "分别" can be used as a verb, adverb, or noun. As a verb, it means "to separate" or "to part." As an adverb, it means "separately" or "respectively." As a noun, it means "difference" or "distinction."

Basic Usage

Here are some common usages of "分别":

• As a verb meaning "to separate" or "to part": For example: 我们在车站分别了。(wǒmen zài chēzhàn fēnbiéle.) - We parted at the station.
• As an adverb meaning "separately" or "respectively": For example: 他们分别住在不同的城市。(tāmen fēnbié zhù zài bùtóng de chéngshì.) - They live in different cities respectively.
• As a noun meaning "difference" or "distinction": For example: 这两个词的分别是什么？(zhè liǎng gè cí de fēnbié shì shénme?) - What is the difference between these two words?

Examples

Here are some example sentences containing "分别":

• 毕业后，我们就分别了。(bìyè hòu, wǒmen jiù fēnbiéle.) - After graduation, we separated.
• 他们分别在不同的公司工作。(tāmen fēnbié zài bùtóng de gōngsī gōngzuò.) - They work at different companies respectively.
• 这两种方法有什么分别？(zhè liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ yǒu shéme fēnbié?) - What is the difference between these two methods?