이별하다

You can use 이별하다 when you want to express parting or separating from someone. For example, '우리는 결국 이별했어요.' (We eventually parted ways.) or '그들은 슬프게 이별했다.' (They sadly separated.)

Yes, there's a subtle difference. While both mean 'to break up' or 'to separate,' 이별하다 often carries a stronger sense of permanence or finality, and can also apply to non-romantic relationships. 헤어지다 is more commonly used for romantic breakups or saying goodbye temporarily.

No, you should not use 이별하다 for a short goodbye. It implies a more permanent or significant separation. For short goodbyes, you would use expressions like '안녕히 계세요' or '안녕히 가세요'.

이별하다 is a standard verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the politeness level of the ending you attach to it. The verb stem itself is neutral.

The noun form is 이별. It means 'parting' or 'separation.' You can use it like '우리의 이별은 슬펐다.' (Our parting was sad.)

While the core meaning is about people, in a poetic or very metaphorical sense, you might hear it used for leaving a significant place. However, for simply leaving a place, verbs like '떠나다' (to leave) are much more common and natural. Stick to people for 이별하다.

A common phrase is '슬픈 이별' (sad parting) or '영원한 이별' (eternal parting). You'll often see it used to describe a difficult or emotional separation.

In the polite past tense (해요 form), it becomes 이별했어요. For example, '그들은 어제 이별했어요.' (They parted yesterday.)

Yes, 이별하다 can be used in the context of death, as it represents a permanent separation from a loved one. For example, '사랑하는 사람과의 이별은 늘 어렵다.' (Parting with a loved one is always difficult.)

While there isn't a direct single antonym that perfectly captures the opposite, you could consider words like '만나다' (to meet) or '재회하다' (to reunite) as conceptual opposites, depending on the context.