別

Meaning

Separate, different · separado, distinto

Readings

• On (音読み): ベツ
• Kun (訓読み): わか.れる

Example words

• 別れる（わかれる）— to part; break up
• 別に（べつに）— not particularly
• 特別（とくべつ）— special

Structure

Radical 刀 written as 刂 here (かたな・りっとう · Knife, sword) · 7 strokes · school grade 4

Watch out

別に by itself answers a question with "nothing special" — can sound sulky. 分かれる (split) and 別れる (part ways) are both わかれる.