•During the war many couples had to endure long periods of separation (= not being together).战争期间，很多夫妇不得不忍受长期分离之苦。

•After many years the government finally abandoned its apartheid system of racial separation.多年之后，政府最终废除了种族隔离制度。

•Couples may agree to divorce each other after a separation.分居之后，夫妻双方可能同意离婚。

•They're considering separation as an option.他们正在考虑选择分居。