split, rend, tear

About this kanji

The kanji 「裂」 primarily means to split, rend, or tear something apart. It can function as both a verb and a noun, with usage often connected to damage or division. Some common compounds include 亀裂 (きれつ), meaning "crack"; 決裂 (けつれつ), which refers to a "breakdown" in negotiations or discussions; and 分裂 (ぶんれつ), meaning "split" or "division." Additionally, the verb 裂く (さく) means "to tear." A point to remember is that this kanji usually implies a strong or forceful action, often leading to irreversible changes or separations.

Example sentences

• 布を裂く音が聞こえた。

  I heard the sound of fabric tearing.

Meanings across languages

English

split, rend, tear

Tiếng Việt

tách, xé, rạch

日本語

れつ, はる, ひらく

한국어

찢다, 열다, 찢어지다

中文

裂开, 撕裂, 撕扯

id

merobek

th

ฉีก

es

rasgar

fr

déchirer

de

spalten

pt

rasgar

Common compounds

• 亀裂きれつcrack, crevice, fissure
• 決裂けつれつbreakdown (of talks, negotiations, etc.), breaking off, rupture
• 分裂ぶんれつsplit, division, break up
• 裂くさくto tear, to rip up, to cut up
• 破裂はれつbursting, rupture, explosion
• 核分裂かくぶんれつnuclear fission, karyokinesis (division of a cell nucleus during mitosis or meiosis)
• 裂けるさけるto split, to tear, to burst
• 引き裂くひきさくto tear up, to tear off, to rip up

Words using this kanji