分开 (fēn kāi) is a separable verb meaning 'to separate' or 'to split apart'. The first character 分 (fēn) means 'to divide' or 'to distribute', and the second character 开 (kāi) adds the sense of 'opening up', 'parting', or 'moving apart' — together, they emphasize physical or conceptual separation into distinct parts. It can describe actions like dividing objects, splitting groups, ending relationships, or disentangling things.

This verb is commonly used in daily conversation and writing, often with objects (e.g., 分开行李, 分开坐) or in passive constructions (e.g., 被分开). It may also appear in compound verbs like 分开来 (fēn kāi lái, 'to separate out') or with aspect particles like 了 (fēn kāi le, 'have separated'). Unlike some abstract synonyms, 分开 typically implies intentionality or observable separation rather than gradual drifting.