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From what I infer from searching online, 解く【とく】refers to "untying" or solving
abstract concepts such as math problems. 解く【ほどく】, on the other hand, relates
to untying physical objects like one's shoelaces. If this assumption is
correct, in the case of this example 「くっついているものを解き分ける」, the correct 解く to use
should be ほどく, right?
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2019-03-21T23:09:41.263
66153
2019-03-22T07:29:25.143
33362
question
word-choice words
What's the difference between 解く【とく】and 解く【ほどく】?
[解く]{とく} and [解く]{ほどく} overlap in meaning for untying/undoing things that are
tied, wrapped, or tangled. These "things" can be physical objects (like a rope
tied in a knot), but they can also be abstract (感情のもつれ, i.e. tangled
feelings/emotions).

For the example of untying one's shoelaces, you could use either [解く]{とく} or
[解く]{ほどく}. The difference between the two, according to 明鏡国語辞典, is that
[解く]{ほどく} is comparatively more of a spoken language/colloquial expression
(emphasis mine in the following excerpt):

> ほど・く【解く】  
>  〘他五〙結んであるもの、縫ってあるもの、もつれたものなどをときはなす。とく。  
>  「ひもの結び目を━」  
>  「靴のひもを━」  
>  「荷物を━」  
>  「着物を━・いて縫い直す」  
>  「からんだ釣り糸を━」  
>  （表現） **「[解く]{とく}」に比べて、口頭語的な言い方。**

Another more obvious difference between the two, as you inferred, is that
[解く]{とく} has [a wider range of possible
meanings](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/157818/meaning/m0u/%E8%A7%A3%E3%81%8F/),
e.g. "solving" puzzles/problems, "lifting" a ban or restriction, or "clearing
up" a misunderstanding.

As for your provided example 「くっついているものを解き分ける」, I believe it should read
[解き分ける]{ときわける} as that sounds more natural to me, and there is [this weblio
entry](https://ejje.weblio.jp/content/%E8%A7%A3%E3%81%8D%E5%88%86%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B)
that confirms this reading, but I would wait for a native speaker's input on
this one.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-22T07:12:46.763
66162
2019-03-22T07:29:25.143
2019-03-22T07:29:25.143
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answer