Meaning

Primary

Separate

Alternative

Separately

Word Type

noun, な adjective, の adjective

Explanation

When you say separate separate, you're putting things off into their own areas. So 別々 means separate.

Note that this word is typically used in reference to multiple separate items, as opposed to 別の, which refers to a single separate or different thing. It's also used a lot as an adverb (often with the particle ) to mean separately.

Reading

べつべつ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is just the べつ reading you know, twice.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 別々になる

    to become separated

    別々に行う

    to carry out separately

    別々にする

    to separate

Context Sentences

友人とのスケジュールが合わないのでハワイまで別々に行きます。

My schedule doesn't really fit my friend's, so we are going to Hawaii separately.

ジャガイモとセロリは別々に入れておいてください。

Put the potatoes and celery out separately.

「私達、本当に別々の道を進まなきゃいけないの?」「ああ。でもまたすぐ会えるさ。」

"Now do we really have to go our separate ways?" "Yup, but I believe we’ll see each other again soon."

Kanji Composition