8
見分ける

To Distinguish


Meaning

To Distinguish, To Tell Apart, To Recognize

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

You see something, then you "separate" (分ける) it. This is the same thing as to distinguish, to tell apart, or to recognize. This verb is transitive, so you're doing the action to something. You're distinguishing between things or people.


Reading

みわける

Explanation

You should know the reading of 見 already. The second part, 分ける is a word you should have learned in the previous level. Combine that knowledge together and you get the reading for this word.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 見分けるこつ

    the trick to telling something apart

    見分ける力

    the ability to distinguish

    見分けるポイント

    points to distinguish by

  • 形で見分ける

    to distinguish based on shape

    色で見分ける

    to distinguish by color

    どこで見分ける

    how to tell the difference

  • ちがいを見分ける

    to recognize the differences

    色を見分ける

    to distinguish between colors

    人を見分ける

    to distinguish between people

Context Sentences

兄弟を目の色で見分ける。

I tell the brothers apart by their eye colors.

あの男が言ったことが本当かどうか見分けるなんてムリだよ。

It's impossible to tell whether what the man said is true.

ダイヤモンドと石ころを見分けることは出来ますか?

Are you able to distinguish between diamonds and stones?


Kanji Composition