分裂

fēnliè
verb HSK 6 #4,769

Meanings

  1. 1 to split up; to divide; to break apart
  2. 2 fission; schism; division

Characters

Both characters mean to divide - the doubling intensifies the meaning. Used for serious, often irreversible splits.

Examples

HSK 1
Guójiā bùnéng fēnliè.
The country must not be divided.
HSK 5
Nèibù máodùn dǎozhì le zǔzhī de fēnliè.
Internal conflicts led to the organization's split.
HSK 6
Xìbāo tōngguò fēnliè lái fánzhí.
Cells reproduce through division.

Tips

usage
分裂 carries a serious/dramatic tone. It's used for nations splitting, organizations fracturing, or cell division in biology. For casual 'splitting up' (like a bill), use or 分开.
usage
分裂 = nuclear fission; 人格分裂 = split personality.

Stroke Order

fēn
liè