差別

• Reading: さべつ
• Romaji: sabetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 差 (sa) — difference, gap; 別 (betsu) — separate, distinguish
• Pronunciation: /sa.be.tsɯ/

Meaning

Discrimination; distinction; differentiation. Treating people unfairly based on group identity.

A noun that can function as a suru-verb (差別する). While the original meaning is simply making a distinction, in modern usage 差別 most often carries a negative connotation of unfair treatment. Common collocations include 人種差別 (racial discrimination), 性差別 (gender discrimination), and 差別をなくす (to eliminate discrimination).

Examples

1. 差別のない社会を目指すべきだ。 We should aim for a society free of discrimination.
2. 性別による差別は許されない。 Discrimination based on gender is unacceptable.
3. 子どもたちに差別はいけないと教えている。 We teach children that discrimination is wrong.

Usage Guide

Context: social issues, news, education

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Composed of 差 (difference, gap) and 別 (separate, distinguish). Together they mean to separate based on differences — discrimination.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal