Translation and Meaning of: 隔てる - hedateru

The Japanese word 「隔てる」 (hedateru) is a verb that carries the meaning of "to separate," "to divide," or "to distinguish." In the Japanese language, it is often used in contexts where there is a barrier or obstacle between two things or parts, whether that division is physical or metaphorical. It is common to see it used in situations discussing the separation of spaces, people, or even ideas. The word has various nuances and can also be employed when talking about distances or time gaps that separate events.

In the etymology of the word, the first component 「隔」 is a kanji that means "barrier," "obstacle," or "isolation." This kanji is composed of the radicals 「阝」, which often refers to a place or area, and 「鬲」, which can mean "vessel" or "pot," but here serves to reinforce the division or separation. The suffix 「てる」 is a conjugated form that is part of various Japanese verbs, contributing to the complete meaning of the word. This structure highlights how the verb refers to the action of separating or distinguishing from something to another thing.

The verbal form 「隔てる」 is used in various contexts, both in casual and formal language, being a common choice to describe scenarios in which someone wants to emphasize the presence of a clear division – whether physical or symbolic. It is interesting to note how this word is often chosen to evoke the idea that separation is not necessarily negative, but simply a characteristic of the relationship or situation in question.

In daily use, 「隔てる」 can be found in expressions that deal, for example, with the separation of territories or areas by mountains, rivers, or even by the placement of furniture in an enclosed space. It can also refer to temporal separation – such as years or decades that separate two significant historical events. This versatility makes hedateru a valuable term in the Japanese vocabulary, being instrumental in the precise description of division and separation situations. This complexity is part of what makes the Japanese language rich and detailed, allowing for the expression of nuanced ideas with precision.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 隔てる

• 隔てます - polite form
• 隔てています - Polite form + present continuous
• 隔てました Polite form + past
• 隔てていました - Polite form + past continuous
• 隔てない - negative form

Synonyms and similar words

• 仕切る (shikiru) - To divide, organize, or separate something into distinct parts.
• 分ける (wakeru) - To divide or separate something into different parts, usually in a more general way.
• 区切る (kugiru) - Setting boundaries or dividing something into specific sections; emphasizes physical or conceptual separation.
• 隔離する ( kakuri suru) - To isolate or separate something in such a way that it cannot interact with what is around it, usually for protection.
• 隔壁する (kabe ni suru) - Physically separating through a barrier typically refers to physical divisions such as walls.

隔てる

Romaji: hedateru
Kana: へだてる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to be excluded

Meaning in English: to be shut out

Definition: To separate something from others by a certain distance.

Example Sentences - (隔てる) hedateru

See below some example sentences:

人と人を隔てる壁を取り払おう。

Hito to hito o hedateru kabe o toriharaou

Let's remove the barriers that separate people.

Let's remove the wall that separates people.

• 人 - means "person" in Japanese.
• と - is a linking particle in Japanese, which indicates that something is being connected to something else.
• 隔てる - is a Japanese verb meaning "to separate" or "to divide".
• 壁 - means "wall" in Japanese.
• を - is an object particle in Japanese, which indicates that the verb is being applied to the object.
• 取り払おう - is a Japanese verb meaning "to remove" or "to eliminate".