separate
gb/sˈɛpɚɪt/ us/sˈɛpɚɪt/
A2
English
~ 2100
szétválaszt, feloszt, szétválogat, elválaszt, különválik, külön, különálló, különköltözik, különálló ruhadarab
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to separate [something] into [parts/groups]
Please separate the recyclables from the regular trash.
Kérjük, különítse el az újrahasznosítható hulladékot a kommunális szeméttől.
The teacher separated the students into four groups.
A tanár négy csoportra osztotta a diákokat.
She separated the egg whites from the yolks for the recipe.
Learner examples
Separate the apples into two bags.
Oszd szét az almákat két zacskóba.
Please separate the red and blue shirts.
Kérlek, válogasd külön a piros és a kék ingeket.
We separate paper and plastic for recycling.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'separate' with 'divide' when talking about mathematical division; 'separate' is not used for arithmetic.
Meaning
divide into parts
Collocations
separate the clothes
|separate into groups
|separate fact from fiction
|separate the pages
Synonyms
divide (A more general term for splitting something into parts, without implying physical or emotional separation.)
Antonyms
combine (Means to bring parts together into a single whole, the opposite of dividing.)
Themes
daily life
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To divide something into two or more parts.
To cause something to be split or divided into distinct parts or groups.
VERB
B1
2
elválaszt
B1
különválik
B2
Usage pattern:
to separate [someone/something] from [someone/something]
The two friends were separated during the chaos.
A két barát a káoszban elsodródott egymástól.
The river separates the town from the forest.
A folyó elválasztja a várost az erdőtől.
They separated after walking together for a while.
Learner examples
The road separates the park from the school.
Az út elválasztja a parkot az iskolától.
We separated after lunch.
Ebéd után különváltunk.
A wall separates the kitchen from the living room.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'break up' in romantic contexts; 'separate' can be neutral and not only about relationships.
Meaning
move apart from
Collocations
separate from each other
|separated by a wall
|separated at birth
Synonyms
part (Often used in a more emotional sense when people leave each other.)
Antonyms
join (Means to come together, the opposite of moving apart.)
Themes
relationships
|movement
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
To move away from someone or something, or make them move away from each other.
To cause people or things to no longer be together in the same place or position.
A2
3
They have separate bedrooms in their apartment.
Külön hálószobájuk van a lakásukban.
This is a separate issue from what we discussed earlier.
Ez más kérdés, mint amit korábban megbeszéltünk.
The accounts are kept separate for clarity.
Learner examples
We sleep in separate beds.
Külön ágyban alszunk.
This is a separate problem.
Ez külön probléma.
They live in separate houses.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'separate' with 'special'; 'separate' means apart, not unique in quality.
Meaning
not joined; distinct
Collocations
separate rooms
|separate issue
|kept separate
Synonyms
distinct (Focuses on being clearly different or separate in identity.)
Antonyms
connected (Implies being linked or joined together physically or conceptually.)
Themes
description
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not joined to anything else; different or apart.
Existing as an individual unit and not joined to or combined with something else.
VERB
B1
4
különválik
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] separates from [someone]
They separated after ten years of marriage.
Tíz év házasság után különváltak.
The couple decided to separate but remain friends.
A pár úgy döntött, hogy különválik, de barátok maradnak.
She separated from her husband last year.
Learner examples
My parents separated last year.
A szüleim tavaly különváltak.
They separated but still talk often.
Különváltak, de még mindig gyakran beszélnek egymással.
He separated from his wife in June.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'separate' with 'divorce'; separation can be temporary and is not always legal divorce.
Meaning
live apart after relationship ends
Collocations
legally separated
|separated couple
Synonyms
split up (Informal phrase meaning to end a relationship, often more casual than 'separate'.)
Antonyms
reconcile (Means to repair and resume a relationship after separation.)
Themes
relationships
|law
Definition
When two people in a marriage or relationship stop living together.
For two people in a marriage or relationship to stop living together, often as a step before divorce.
NOUN
B2
5
The store offers skirts and blouses as separates.
Az üzletben a szoknyák és blúzok különálló darabokként kaphatók.
These trousers are sold as separates so you can choose your own top.
Ezeket a nadrágokat különálló darabként árulják, így magad választhatod ki hozzájuk a felsőt.
She prefers buying separates to mix and match her outfits.
Learner examples
This skirt is a separate.
Ez a szoknya különálló darab.
I like to buy separates so I can wear them with many tops.
Szeretek különálló ruhadarabokat venni, mert sokféle felsővel tudom hordani őket.
These pants are sold as separates.
Meaning
individual clothing item
Collocations
mix and match separates
Synonyms
garment piece (A more general term for an article of clothing, without implying it is part of a set or not.)
Antonyms
ensemble (A complete outfit designed to be worn together.)
Themes
fashion
|clothing
|daily_life
Definition
A piece of clothing sold alone, not with other matching clothes.
An item of clothing designed to be worn alone or matched with others, not as part of a complete set.
Grammar
Dictionary form
separate
IPA
GB/sˈɛpɚɪt/
US/sˈɛpɚɪt/
Syllables & stress
sep - ar - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sep)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: separate
Verb
- Base: separate
- 3rd Person Singular: separates
- Present Participle: separating
- Past: separated
Word family
Forms
separates
verb
separating
verb
separated
verb
Core family
separation
noun B1
separately
adverb B1
Related words
separable
adjective
separator
noun
Negative and opposite forms
inseparable
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
separatism
noun
separatist
noun C1
Expressions
separate out
1/sˈɛpɚˌeɪt ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
remove part from group
To take one thing out of a group for a special reason.
Examples
- Separate out the damaged items before packing.
- We need to separate out the most urgent cases first.
separate ways
1/sˈɛpɚɪt wˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
different paths after being together
When two people or groups go in different directions or do different things after being together.
Examples
- After graduation, they went their separate ways.
- We decided to go our separate ways after the project ended.
separate the wheat from the chaff
1/sˈɛpɚˌeɪt ðə wˈit fɹˈʌm ðə t͡ʃˈæf/
idiom
distinguish valuable from worthless
To find what is good or useful and remove what is bad or not useful.
Examples
- This test will separate the wheat from the chaff among the candidates.
- The first round of interviews will separate the wheat from the chaff.
- The review process should help us separate the wheat from the chaff.
- Good reviews help shoppers separate the wheat from the chaff when buying online.
- Over time, experience separates the wheat from the chaff in this industry.