The word 分别 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing a core idea related to separation. The first character, 分, depicts a knife (刀) dividing something into parts, conveying the core meaning "to divide" or "to part". The second character, 别, originally depicted a bone and a knife (刂), carrying the ancient meaning "to cut apart" or "to differentiate". When joined, their combined pictorial and conceptual logic reinforces a single, intensified notion of parting, distinguishing, or separating one thing from another.