separate
word
/ˈsɛpɝˌeɪt/
SEP-uh-rit (adj), sep-uh-RAYT (verb)
/ˈsɛpərɪt/
SEP-uh-rit (adj), sep-uh-RAYT (verb)
Definition
To move or keep things, people, or ideas apart from each other. It can also describe things that are not joined and exist independently.
Usage & Nuances
Common as both a verb and an adjective. As a verb, patterns like 'separate A from B' and 'separate into' are very common. As an adjective, 'in separate rooms' means different rooms, not shared. Don't confuse it with 'different': two things can be different without being physically separate.
Spanish: separar - separadoPortuguese (BR): separar - separadoPortuguese (PT): separar - separadoChinese (Simplified): 分开 - 分开的Chinese (Traditional): 分開 - 分開的Hindi: अलग करना - अलगArabic: يفصل - منفصلBengali: আলাদা করা - বিচ্ছিন্ন করা - আলাদা (বস্তুর জন্য)Russian: разделять - отделять - отдельныйJapanese: 分ける - 分離する - 別々のVietnamese: tách ra - riêng biệtKorean: 분리하다 - 따로의Turkish: ayırmak - ayrıUrdu: علیحدہ کرنا - الگIndonesian: memisahkan - terpisah
Example Sentences
Please separate the white shirts from the dark ones.
basic
The twins sleep in separate beds.
basic
Oil and water separate quickly.
basic
We need to separate work from our personal life.
natural
The app lets you separate your expenses into categories.
natural
After the argument, they decided to take separate cars home.
natural