1.
to divide, to mark off, to segment
To separate something into sections or segments by marking boundaries. Used for dividing text, time, space, or abstract concepts.
文を区切って読む。
Read by dividing the sentence into segments.
カーテンで部屋を区切った。
I divided the room with a curtain.
単語と単語の間にスペースを入れて区切る。
Separate words by inserting spaces between them.
2.
to bring to a close, to put a stop to
To mark a stopping point or conclusion in an activity or period.
ここで一つ区切ろう。
Let's wrap up here.
仕事に区切りをつけてから帰る。
I'll finish up my work before heading home.
過去に区切りをつけて新しい生活を始めたい。
I want to put the past behind me and start a new life.
The noun form 区切り is very common and often appears in the set phrase 区切りをつける (to bring something to a close, to draw a line).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 区切りをつける — to bring to a close, to draw a line
- 一つ区切る — to pause/stop at one point
- 文を区切る — to break a sentence into parts
- 段落で区切る — to divide by paragraphs
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 分ける — to divide, to separate (more general)
- 仕切る — to partition, to manage