分开
fēnkāi · HSK 2
to separate
✂️ 分 = divide + 开 = open; divide-open = separate apart
分 (fēn) means divide or split, and 开 (kāi) means open. Together 分开 literally reads as split-open, extending to separate, part ways, or break apart. Common in contexts like couples breaking up or items being kept apart.
分 — knife 刀 + eight 八 (split apart)
分 originally depicted a knife (刀) cutting something into two parts, shown by 八 above (which itself meant 'divide'). The core sense is 'to divide' or 'split', from which extended meanings like 'portion', 'minute', and 'part' developed. Pronounced fèn, it carries the sense of an allotted share.
开 — two hands 廾 + door 门 (open gate)
Originally written 開, showing two hands (廾) lifting the bar (一) off a gate (門) to open it. The simplified form 开 keeps the two-hands element and drops the gate. Core meaning 'to open' extended to 'start, operate, bloom'.