別
べつ
distinction, different
na-adjective
Conjugation Table
Present
別だ
Negative
別じゃない
Past
別だった
Past Negative
別じゃなかった
Te Form
別で
Adverbial
別に
Conditional
別なら
Presumptive
別でしょう
Example Sentences
今日は別の店に行きます。
Today, I'm going to a different store.
Kyō wa betsu no mise ni ikimasu.
昨日は別に特別なことはなかった。
Yesterday, there wasn't anything particularly special.
Kinō wa betsu ni tokubetsu na koto wa nakatta.
その話は別にして、他のことを話しましょう。
Let's set that topic aside and talk about something else.
Sono hanashi wa betsu ni shite, hoka no koto o hanashimashō.
Grammar Notes & Usage Tips
•Na-Adjective Form**: 別 (べつ) is a na-adjective, so when you want to use it directly before a noun, remember to add な, like in 別な問題 (べつなもんだい, "a different problem").
•Particle Usage**: When expressing the idea of "different from" something, use 別 with the particle と, as in 彼とは別です (かれとはべつです, "It's different from him").
•No Conjugation Needed**: Unlike i-adjectives, 別 does not require conjugation for past or negative forms. Instead, use it with です or じゃない for present negative, like 別じゃない (べつじゃない, "not different").
•Common Mistake**: Don’t confuse 別 with 別々 (べつべつ), which means "separately." For example, 別々に払います (べつべつにはらいます) means "to pay separately," not simply "different."
•な-adjective: Uses な before nouns, conjugates like a noun