Kanji 裂: split, rend, tear

Key takeaways

Kanji 裂: split, rend, tear. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

裂

Meaning

splitrendtear

On reading

レツ

Kun reading

さ.くさ.ける-ぎ.れ

Radical

衣

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 裂

split, rend, tear

Kanji structure breakdown

裂

Structure breakdown

列 + 衣

Mnemonic story

Imagine clothes (衣) being torn apart in a straight line (列). This kanji represents fabric splitting or rending along a seam or a row.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

レツ

破裂はれつ
burst / rupture / explode
分裂ぶんれつ
split / division / break up

Kun reading

さ.く

裂けるさける
to split / to tear / to burst
裂くさく
to tear / to split / to cut open

Commonly used words

破裂
はれつ
burst / rupture / explode
分裂
ぶんれつ
split / division / break up
裂ける
さける
to split / to tear / to burst
裂く
さく
to tear / to split / to cut open

Example sentences

Example 1

紙が裂けてしまった。

Translation

The paper tore.

Example 2

服が裂けないように気をつけて。

Translation

Be careful not to tear your clothes.

Example 3

風船が破裂した。

Translation

The balloon burst.

Example 4

パイプが破裂して水が出た。

Translation

The pipe ruptured and water came out.

Kanji 裂: split, rend, tear

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

裂ける (さける): meaning and examples

破裂 (はれつ): meaning and examples

分裂 (ぶんれつ): meaning and examples

裂く (さく): meaning and examples