Inklingo

How to Say "to separate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to separate” is “separar” — use this for the general act of moving things away from each other or distinguishing between categories of items, like sorting laundry.

English → Spanish

separar

seh-pah-RAHRsepaˈɾaɾ

verbA1general
Use this for the general act of moving things away from each other or distinguishing between categories of items, like sorting laundry.
A pair of hands gently moving two different groups of colorful marbles away from each other on a wooden surface.

Examples

Tienes que separar la ropa blanca de la de color.

You have to separate the white clothes from the colored ones.

Estamos separando la basura para reciclar.

We are sorting the trash to recycle.

El profesor separó a los dos alumnos que estaban hablando.

The teacher separated the two students who were talking.

Using 'con' and 'de'

When separating one thing from another, use 'de' (from). For example: 'separar la sal del azúcar' (to separate the salt from the sugar).

Separar vs. Partir

Mistake: “Using 'partir' for sorting items.”

Correction: Use 'separar' when you are organizing items into different piles; use 'partir' when you are breaking or cutting one single item into pieces.

dividir

dee-vee-DEERdiβiˈðiɾ

verbA1general
This word implies creating a division or a physical barrier between things, often by cutting or portioning them.
A whole red apple cut into two clean halves on a wooden table.

Examples

Dividimos la pizza en ocho trozos.

We are dividing the pizza into eight slices.

El río divide la ciudad en dos partes.

The river separates the city into two parts.

Tenemos que dividir los gastos del viaje.

We have to split the travel expenses.

Using 'en' for parts

When you say what you are dividing something into, always use 'en'. For example: 'Dividir en partes' (Divide into parts).

A perfectly regular -ir verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ir. If you know how to conjugate 'vivir', you already know 'dividir'!

Divide 'into' vs Divide 'en'

Mistake: “Dividir a dos partes.”

Correction: Dividir en dos partes. In Spanish, we use 'en' to show the result of the division, not 'a'.

apartar

ah-par-TARa.paɾ.ˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use this when the action is about moving something or someone away from a specific place or group, creating distance.
A hand gently pushing a small wooden block away from a group of other blocks on a clean surface.

Examples

Aparté los libros de la mesa.

I moved the books away from the table.

Voy a apartar un poco de dinero.

I'm going to set aside some money.

Por favor, aparta la silla.

Please, move the chair aside.

Reflexive Form

The reflexive form 'apartarse' means to move away from something or someone. Example: 'Me aparté de la ventana' (I moved away from the window).

Transitive vs Intransitive

'Apartar' is mainly transitive (it needs an object): 'Aparté la mesa' (I moved the table). The reflexive form works without an object: 'Me aparté' (I moved aside).

Past Participle as Adjective

'Apartado' can work as an adjective meaning 'remote' or 'set apart': 'un lugar apartado' (a remote place).

Confusing with 'quitar'

Mistake: “Using 'quitar' instead of 'apartar' when referring to moving something aside”

Correction: 'Quitar' means to remove completely, while 'apartar' means to move to the side. 'Aparta los platos' (move the plates aside) vs 'Quita los platos' (take the plates away).

Forgetting the reflexive pronoun

Mistake: “Using 'apartar' when you mean to move yourself away”

Correction: Say 'Me aparté de la discusión' (I stepped away from the argument), not 'Aparté de la discusión'.

distanciar

dees-tan-syahrdistanˈsjaɾ

verbB1general
This refers to increasing the physical space between objects or people, often with a specific purpose like creating more room.
A row of colorful potted plants placed far apart from each other on a long wooden bench.

Examples

El arquitecto decidió distanciar las columnas para dar más luz.

The architect decided to space out the columns to allow more light.

Debemos distanciar las citas para que no se amontone la gente.

We should space out the appointments so people don't crowd together.

Distancia los cuadros un poco más.

Separate the paintings a bit more.

Using 'de' to show from what

When you want to say what you are distancing something from, use the word 'de'. For example: 'Distanciar un mueble de la pared' (To distance a piece of furniture from the wall).

Confusing with 'separar'

Mistake: “Using 'separar' when you mean creating a specific gap.”

Correction: 'Separar' means to split things up; 'distanciar' specifically focuses on the space between them.

divorciar

dee-bor-syahrdiβoɾˈθjaɾ

verbB1formal
This specifically means to legally end a marriage or to disconnect or detach something in a more abstract sense.
A gold wedding ring split into two separate pieces on a simple wooden surface.

Examples

El juez va a divorciar a la pareja el próximo mes.

The judge is going to divorce the couple next month.

Ellos decidieron divorciarse después de diez años.

They decided to get divorced after ten years.

Es difícil divorciar los sentimientos de los negocios.

It is hard to separate feelings from business.

Doing it vs. Getting it done

Use 'divorciar' when someone (like a judge) performs the divorce, but use 'divorciarse' (with the extra 'se') when you are the one getting divorced from someone.

Which preposition to use?

When you say you are getting divorced 'from' someone, Spanish uses the word 'de'. Example: 'Me divorcié de mi esposo' (I divorced from my husband).

The missing 'se'

Mistake: “Yo quiero divorciar.”

Correction: Yo quiero divorciarme. You need the 'me' because getting divorced is an action you do to yourself/your status.

Separar vs. Dividir

Learners often confuse 'separar' and 'dividir'. Remember that 'separar' is for general distancing or sorting, while 'dividir' implies creating distinct portions or a division, like cutting a cake.

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