split

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading of 裂 is れつ, and its kun readings are さく and さける. It has 12 strokes and relates to tearing or splitting.
• Basic usage: 裂く is read さく, and 裂ける is read さける.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 裂く and 裂ける
  • 裂く means to tear or split something and is transitive.
  • 古い布を細く裂いて、掃除に使った。 means “I tore the old cloth into strips and used them for cleaning.”
  • 裂ける means to tear open or come apart and is intransitive.
  • 重い箱を入れたら紙袋が裂けた。 means “The paper bag tore when I put a heavy box in it.”