別(わか)れ

わかれ
noun
parting, farewell
1. parting, farewell, separation
The act of separating or saying goodbye; a departure from someone or something.
友人(ゆうじん)との別(わか)れは辛(つら)かった。
Parting with my friend was painful.
別(わか)れの挨拶(あいさつ)をした。
I said my farewells.
別れの挨拶 = farewell greeting
出会(であ)いがあれば別(わか)れもある。
Where there are meetings, there are also partings.
A common saying about the nature of relationships
空港(くうこう)での別(わか)れは何度(なんど)経験(けいけん)しても慣(な)れない。
No matter how many times I experience it, I can never get used to saying goodbye at the airport.
卒業式(そつぎょうしき)の日(ひ)、先生(せんせい)と生徒(せいと)たちは涙(なみだ)の別(わか)れを惜(お)しんだ。
On graduation day, the teacher and students shed tears, reluctant to part.
別(わか)れを惜(お)しむ = to be reluctant to part

別(わか)れ is the noun form of the verb 別(わか)れる (to part, to separate). It carries emotional weight, suggesting sadness or significance — stronger than a simple goodbye.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 別(わか)れを告(つ)げる: to bid farewell
  • 別(わか)れの言葉(ことば): parting words
  • 別(わか)れの挨拶(あいさつ): farewell greeting
  • 別(わか)れを惜(お)しむ: to be reluctant to part
  • 永遠(えいえん)の別(わか)れ: eternal parting (euphemism for death)
  • 涙(なみだ)の別(わか)れ: tearful farewell

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Parting is a significant theme in Japanese culture, especially at 卒業式(そつぎょうしき) (graduation ceremonies) and 送別会(そうべつかい) (farewell parties). The saying 出会(であ)いがあれば別(わか)れもある (where there are meetings, there are also partings) reflects a Buddhist-influenced acceptance of impermanence.

Related Words

Related: 別(わか)れる (verb form)
core
Added 2026.1.12 22:34 · Revised 2026.4.3 14:49
03500/03788_wakare