riêng rẽ

Definition

Adjective:
- Separate; distinct; not joined or united: Describes things, people, or entities that exist or function independently, not as a combined or unified whole. It emphasizes individual isolation or division.
- Discrete; isolated: Refers to elements that are considered one by one, in a disconnected or unintegrated manner.
Adverb:
- Separately; individually; apart: Describes an action done in an independent, isolated, or non-collective way.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- Hai vấn đề này là hoàn toàn riêng rẽ. (These two issues are completely separate.)
- Họ sống trong những căn nhà riêng rẽ. (They live in separate houses.)
Adverb:
- Chúng ta nên xem xét từng điểm riêng rẽ. (We should consider each point separately.)
- Hai công ty hoạt động riêng rẽ. (The two companies operate separately.)

Advanced Usage

The word often carries a nuance of things being not only separate but also potentially disconnected, lacking coordination or a common purpose.
- Các bộ phận làm việc một cách riêng rẽ, không có sự phối hợp. (The departments work in a separate/disconnected manner, without any coordination.)

Variants and Related Words

Riêng biệt (adj): Separate, distinct. Often implies clearer boundaries or more pronounced individuality than "riêng rẽ."
- Đây là hai khu vực riêng biệt. (These are two separate areas.)
Tách rời (v, adj): To separate; separated. Focuses more on the action or state of being split apart.
- Anh ấy tách rời các tờ giấy. (He separated the sheets of paper.)

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Idioms and Phrases

Sống riêng rẽ: To live separately (often used for married couples who are not divorced but live apart).
- Vợ chồng họ đã sống riêng rẽ nhiều năm. (The couple have lived separately for many years.)
Làm việc riêng rẽ: To work separately/in isolation (suggesting a lack of teamwork).
- Nhóm thất bại vì mọi người làm việc riêng rẽ. (The team failed because everyone worked separately.)