spalten
to split
To separate something lengthwise into two or more parts with a targeted blow or pressure, especially wood.
EXAMPLE
Im Winter spaltet er jeden Tag Holz für den Kaminofen.
In winter, he splits wood for the fireplace every day.
spalten
to split
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Meanings
spalten
to divide
To cause disagreement and conflict in a group of people, so that it divides into opposing camps.
EXAMPLE
Die Frage der neuen Flüchtlingspolitik spaltet die Partei.
The question of the new refugee policy is dividing the party.
sich spalten
to split up
To divide by itself into different groups or parts, often because of disagreements.
EXAMPLE
Die Band hat sich nach internen Konflikten gespalten.
The band split up after internal conflicts.
spalten
to split
In physics or chemistry, to break atomic nuclei or molecules down into smaller components.
EXAMPLE
In einem Kernkraftwerk wird Energie freigesetzt, indem man Uran-Atome spaltet.
In a nuclear power plant, energy is released by splitting uranium atoms.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'spalten' (to split) is closely related to the noun 'der Spalt' (gap/crack) or 'die Spalte' (column/split). When you split something, you create a gap or a column.
EXAMPLE
Durch den Spalt in der Wand konnte man Licht sehen.
You could see light through the crack in the wall.
Transitive vs. reflexive
'Spalten' (to split/divide) can be used transitively or reflexively. 'Jemand spaltet eine Gruppe' (someone splits/divides a group) means that a person actively causes the separation. 'Die Gruppe spaltet sich' (the group splits) means that the group divides by itself.
EXAMPLE
Seine radikalen Ansichten spalten die Diskussionsteilnehmer.
His radical views are dividing the participants in the discussion.
Participle as adjective
The past participle 'gespalten' (split/divided) is very often used as an adjective. It can mean 'divided' or 'ambivalent.' A 'gespaltene Persönlichkeit' (split personality) is a psychological technical term.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe zu diesem Thema eine gespaltene Meinung.
I have mixed feelings about this topic.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'spalten' (to split) is almost always used in the combination 'Holz spalten' (to split wood), often with the tool 'mit einer Axt' (with an axe).
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater hat früher jeden Morgen Holz für den Ofen gespalten.
My grandfather used to split wood for the stove every morning.
Typical collocations
In the figurative, social meaning, typical objects are 'die Gesellschaft' (society), 'eine Partei' (a party), 'eine Familie' (a family), or 'die Nation' (the nation). It is always about the separation of a social group.
EXAMPLE
Das Thema Migration spaltet die europäische Gesellschaft.
The topic of migration is dividing European society.
Technical language
The meaning 'Atomkerne oder Moleküle zerlegen' (to break down atomic nuclei or molecules) is limited to the technical language of physics and chemistry. Typical objects are 'Atome' (atoms) or 'Atomkerne' (atomic nuclei).
EXAMPLE
Bei der Kernspaltung wird eine enorme Menge an Energie freigesetzt.
During nuclear fission, an enormous amount of energy is released.
Compare with
spalten vs teilen
to share / divide
Teilen can neutrally divide a group into several parts. Spalten here means that conflict or strong differences of opinion create opposing camps. Teilen is suitable for an objective division, while spalten is better for a conflict-driven separation.
spalten
Der Streit spaltet die Gruppe in zwei gegnerische Lager.
The dispute divides the group into two opposing camps.
teilen
Die Sitzordnung teilt die Gruppe in zwei Arbeitsgruppen.
The seating arrangement divides the group into two working groups.
In real life
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