区別

• Reading: くべつ
• Romaji: kubetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 区 (ku) — ward, section; 別 (betsu) — separate, different
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.be.tsɯ/

Meaning

Distinction; differentiation; the act of telling things apart.

A noun that also functions as a する verb (区別する means 'to distinguish' or 'to differentiate'). Often used with がつかない to express inability to tell things apart. Common in discussions about categories, language learning, and moral judgments.

Examples

1. 本物と偽物の区別がつかない。 I can't tell the real one from the fake.
2. 日本語では敬語と普通の言葉を区別する必要がある。 In Japanese, you need to distinguish between polite language and casual speech.
3. その二つの色は区別しにくい。 Those two colors are hard to tell apart.

Usage Guide

Context: language learning, logic, daily conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 区 (ward, section, divide) and 別 (separate, different). Together they describe the act of separating things into distinct sections.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal