Meaning
分裂 describes the action of something breaking apart or dividing into separate parts. It can refer to physical splitting (like cell division), political division (like a country splitting), or abstract separation (like a group fragmenting). The word carries a sense of something whole becoming fragmented or disunited.
Usage
分裂 is commonly used in formal or serious contexts—politics, science, relationships, and organizations. In politics, it often describes国家分裂 (national division) or党派分裂 (party splits). In biology, it describes cell division. Native speakers use it when emphasizing the breaking of unity or integrity, and it typically has negative connotations when describing social or political contexts.
Examples
- 01这个政党因为内部矛盾而分裂了。.This political party split due to internal conflicts.
- 02细胞通过分裂来繁殖。.Cells reproduce through division.
Characters
Common collocations
- 细胞分裂cell division
- 国家分裂national division/secession
- 分裂主义separatism
- 党派分裂party split
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to division: 分 originally depicted dividing something with a knife, while 裂 shows clothing being torn apart (衣 + 列). Together they emphasize complete separation.