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分裂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
分裂fēnlièto split upHSK 7, v, rank #4769, Hard
分裂fēnlièto divideHSK 7, v, rank #4769, Hard
分裂fēnlièto break upHSK 7, v, rank #4769, Hard
分裂fēnlièfissionHSK 7, v, rank #4769, Hard
分裂fēnlièschismHSK 7, v, rank #4769, Hard
fēnliè(fen1lie4) T1
  1. 1to split up
  2. 2to divide
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March 24, 2026
分裂fēnliè(fen1lie4)

分裂 (fēnliè) means to split or divide, often used in contexts involving groups, ideas, or physical objects. It can refer to a schism in political or social entities or the scientific process of fission in physics. The word conveys a sense of breaking apart, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense.

Frequency#4769DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, 分裂 is often associated with significant events of division, such as the split during the Three Kingdoms period, which is a popular theme in literature and media. Understanding this historical context can deepen your appreciation of discussions around unity and division in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Think of 分 (fēn) as 'to divide' and 裂 (liè) as 'to crack or split.' Imagine a big, heavy rock that splits in two during an earthquake, symbolizing a strong division. The sound 'fen' can remind you of 'fun' splitting into different activities, while 'lie' can evoke 'lie down' as if being broken apart.

Meanings of 分裂

fēnliè(fen1lie4)
1to split up
2to divide
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 分裂

分裂Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4769Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 分裂

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Podcast: 分裂

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AI Study Notes for 分裂

Quick Contrast

裂开 (liè kāi) - use 分裂 (fēnliè) for more abstract or metaphorical splits, while 裂开 (liè kāi) typically refers to physical cracking or breaking apart.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 分 (fēn) as 'to divide' and 裂 (liè) as 'to crack or split.' Imagine a big, heavy rock that splits in two during an earthquake, symbolizing a strong division. The sound 'fen' can remind you of 'fun' splitting into different activities, while 'lie' can evoke 'lie down' as if being broken apart.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 分裂 with similar terms like 分开 (fēnkāi), which means to separate but lacks the intensity of splitting. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about politics or science. Be cautious with tones; mispronouncing 分 (fēn) could lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 HSK word, 分裂 connects with other vocabulary related to division and separation. Students should focus on how it can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, and practice using it in sentences about politics or science to grasp its full implications.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, 分裂 is often associated with significant events of division, such as the split during the Three Kingdoms period, which is a popular theme in literature and media. Understanding this historical context can deepen your appreciation of discussions around unity and division in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often incorrectly use 分裂 to describe simple separations, such as moving apart physically, instead of contexts that imply a deeper division. For example, saying '我和我的朋友分裂' (Wǒ hé wǒ de péngyǒu fēnliè) should be corrected to '我和我的朋友分开' (Wǒ hé wǒ de péngyǒu fēnkāi) for clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 分裂

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Component Characters

分fēnto divide
HSK 14 strokes刀
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裂lièto split
HSK 712 strokes衣
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Write 分裂

分
裂

Practice writing 分裂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 分裂

分裂 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 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

细胞不断地____更新，这是人体发育过程的一部分。

Cells divide and renew as part of the human growth process.

Example Sentences for 分裂 (7)

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1
细胞不断地分裂更新，这是人体发育过程的一部分。

xì bāo bù duàn dì fēn liè gēng xīn， ， zhè shì rén tǐ fā yù guò chéng de yī bù。

Cells divide and renew as part of the human growth process.
2
近2,500人在今年的分裂主义暴乱中丧生。

jìn2,500 2,500 rén zài jīn nián de fēn liè zhǔ yì bào luàn zhōng sāng。

Nearly 2,500 have died in separatist violence this year.
3
那些细胞分裂，产生出许多不同种类的细胞。

nà xiē xì bāo fēn liè， ， chǎn shēng chū xǔ duō bù tóng zhǒng lèi de xì。

Those cells divide and give many other different types of cells.
4
里还有一部记录东西德分裂的电影.

lǐ huán yǒu yī bù jì lù dōng xī dé fēn liè de diàn yǐng.

There'sThere is also a film that documents divided the divide.
5
该提议未能平抚分裂分子。

gāi tí yì wèi néng píng fǔ fēn liè fēn zǐ。

The offer has not appeased separatists.
6
知道的最清楚的可能是秋水仙碱,它影响有丝分裂.

zhī dào de zuì qīng chǔ de kě néng shì qiū shuǐ xiān jiǎn, , tā yǐng xiǎng yǒu sī fēn.

Probably the best known of these is colchicine which interferes with mitosis.
7
英国被指“出于历史仇恨”企图分裂该国。

yīng guó bèi zhǐ“ “ chū yú lì shǐ chóu” hèn ” qǐ tú fēn liè。

Britain was accused of trying to partition the country "because of historic enmity"

Cultural Notes for 分裂

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, 分裂 is often associated with significant events of division, such as the split during the Three Kingdoms period, which is a popular theme in literature and media. Understanding this historical context can deepen your appreciation of discussions around unity and division in Chinese society.

Frequently Asked Questions about 分裂

Synonyms include 分开 (fēnkāi) and 裂开 (lièkāi), but 分裂 carries a stronger connotation of a schism or significant division.