Meanings of 分手
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Podcast: 分手
Podcast: 分手
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AI Study Notes for 分手
分开 (fēnkāi) vs 离开 (líkāi) — use 分手 specifically for ending romantic relationships, while 分开 is more general for parting, and 离开 refers to leaving a place or situation.
When using 分手, it is important to ensure the context is clear, as it specifically refers to romantic relationships rather than friendships or business partnerships. A common mistake is using it in an informal tone when discussing serious matters, which may come off as insensitive.
As an HSK 5 word, 分手 connects with other relationship-related vocabulary such as 恋爱 (lian4 ai4 - to be in love) and 交往 (jiao1 wang3 - to associate with). Students should focus on using it in conversations about personal experiences and emotions.
Learners often confuse 分手 with other forms of parting, mistakenly saying '我和朋友分手' (wo3 he2 peng2 you3 fen1 shou3 - I broke up with my friend) instead of '我和朋友不再联系'. Ensure the phrase is used exclusively for romantic breakups.
Pronunciation of 分手
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Jason Explains 分手 to You
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Component Characters
How to say to split up in Chinese
“to split up” in Chinese is分手
分手 (fen1 shou3) means to end a romantic relationship or partnership. It is commonly used in contexts involving personal relationships, such as couples deciding to part ways. The term conveys a sense of finality and emotional separation.
When to use 分手
When using 分手, it is important to ensure the context is clear, as it specifically refers to romantic relationships rather than friendships or business partnerships. A common mistake is using it in an informal tone when discussing serious matters, which may come off as insensitive.
分手 or something close to it
分开 (fēnkāi) vs 离开 (líkāi) — use 分手 specifically for ending romantic relationships, while 分开 is more general for parting, and 离开 refers to leaving a place or situation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 分手 with other forms of parting, mistakenly saying '我和朋友分手' (wo3 he2 peng2 you3 fen1 shou3 - I broke up with my friend) instead of '我和朋友不再联系'. Ensure the phrase is used exclusively for romantic breakups.
Write 分手
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Practice writing 分手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 分手
分手 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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____了就分手了，以后会遇到更好的。
If you broke up, you broke up — you will meet someone better.
Example Sentences for 分手 (2)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 分手
No, 分手 specifically refers to romantic relationships. For friendships, you might use 断交 (duan4 jiao1) or just say '不再联系' (bu4 zai4 lian2 xi4) to indicate no longer keeping in touch.
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