别 bié — separate · English

别

bié

separate

At a glance · 别

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「别」从冎从刀，金文象以刀剔骨，会分离之意。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「别」本义为分解、分离，引申区别、另外、不要。

Structure

从冎、从刀，会意字，以刀割骨为别，本为分离、分辨。

At a glance

Pinyinbié

Radical刂

Strokes7

UnicodeU+522B

Character type会意

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English separate separate, other; do not

Français distinguer / séparer Distinguer, séparer. «礼别尊卑» : séparer, marquer la distinction.

Español distinguir / separar Distinguir, separar. «礼别尊卑»: separar, marcar distinción.

العربية يميّز / يفصل يميّز، يفصل. «礼别尊卑»: التمييز والفصل.

Русский различать / отделять Различать, отделять. «礼别尊卑»: различать, проводить грань.

Common words

分别fēn biéseparate
别人bié rénothers

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