区別

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. ごみは燃えるものと燃えないものを区別します。▶ —
   Garbage is separated into burnable and non-burnable.
2. 本物と偽物の区別がつきません。▶ —
   I cannot tell the difference between the real and the fake.

Collocations

Mnemonic

区別 kubetsu — 区 (zone, division) + 別 (to separate, distinct). To split things into zones (区) and set them apart (別) is to distinguish. Compare 違い (chigai, K-71), which is merely "a difference," whereas 区別 is the deliberate act of telling apart. 区別がつく means "to be able to tell apart."

Quick check

1. What does 区別がつかない mean?

   • cannot tell them apart
   • can tell them apart well
   • no distinction is needed
   • likes distinctions