別居(べっきょ)

べっきょ
noun, verb (suru)
living apart, separation
1. living apart, separation
A married couple or family members living in separate residences. Often refers to a formal or informal separation between spouses, sometimes as a step before divorce.
夫婦(ふうふ)が別居(べっきょ)している。
The married couple is living apart.
二人(ふたり)は半年(はんとし)前(まえ)から別居(べっきょ)を始(はじ)めた。
The two of them started living apart six months ago.
離婚(りこん)はしていないが、長(なが)い間(あいだ)別居(べっきょ)状態(じょうたい)が続(つづ)いている。
They haven't divorced, but they've been living apart for a long time.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 別居(べっきょ)する (to live apart)
  • 別居(べっきょ)中(ちゅう) (currently separated)
  • 別居(べっきょ)状態(じょうたい) (state of separation)
  • 別居(べっきょ)婚(こん) (commuter marriage, married but living apart by choice)

In legal contexts, 別居(べっきょ) is often a precursor to divorce. 別居(べっきょ)婚(こん) is a more neutral or positive term for couples who choose to live apart for career or lifestyle reasons.

Related Words

Related: 同棲(どうせい) (cohabitation)
general
Added 2026.2.18 22:59 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:42
11500/11879_bekkyo