separate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is り, and the kun readings are はなれる and はなす. It has 19 strokes. It appears in words for moving away or leaving and separating or releasing something.
• Basic usage: 離れる is read はなれる and 離す is read はなす.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 離れる / 離す
  • 離れる means to move away or to leave and is read はなれる. It describes moving away from a place or leaving one’s parents’ home.
  • 駅から少し離れると、静かな住宅街になる。 means “A quiet residential area begins a short distance from the station.”
  • 離す means separate or let go and is read はなす. It describes separating desks or letting go of someone’s hand.
  • 子どもは母の手をなかなか離さなかった。 means “The child would not let go of the mother's hand.”