Translation guide
The English verb 'differentiate' has several core meanings: to distinguish between things, to make something different, to treat differently, and in mathematics, to compute a derivative. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
To recognize or show the difference between two or more things.
The most common and general verb for distinguishing between things. Used for both concrete and abstract differences.
彼は善悪を区別できない。
He can't differentiate between right and wrong.
It's hard to differentiate these two colors.
Focuses on visual or sensory distinction. Often used when identifying differences by looking.
双子を見分けることができますか？
Can you differentiate the twins?
本物と偽物を見分けるのはプロでも難しい。
Even pros find it hard to differentiate the genuine article from a fake.
More formal and technical. Often used in scientific, legal, or official contexts.
この装置は微細な粒子を識別できる。
This device can differentiate minute particles.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'to be able to tell the difference'. Often used in everyday speech.
高いワインと安いワインの違いがわかりますか？
Can you differentiate expensive wine from cheap wine?
To cause something to be different or distinct from others.
Common in business and marketing contexts, meaning to differentiate a product or service from competitors.
当社の製品を他社と差別化する必要がある。
We need to differentiate our product from others.
A more literal translation meaning 'to make different'. Less common but can be used in formal writing.
その特徴が彼を他の候補者と異ならせている。
That characteristic differentiates him from other candidates.
Means 'to give uniqueness'. Used when emphasizing originality.
ブランドに独自性を持たせることが大切だ。
It's important to differentiate the brand.
To treat people or things differently, often unfairly.
The standard word for discrimination. Can be used in both negative and neutral contexts.
人を人種で差別してはいけない。
You must not differentiate between people based on race.
Also used for treating differently, but less charged than 差別する. Often implies a neutral distinction.
彼は生徒を能力で区別しない。
He doesn't differentiate students by ability.
To find the derivative of a function.
The standard mathematical term for differentiation.
この関数をxについて微分してください。
Differentiate this function with respect to x.
区別する is the most general 'distinguish'. 見分ける emphasizes visual identification. 識別する is formal/technical. Use 区別する for most situations.
差別する strongly implies unfair discrimination. For neutral 'differentiate between', use 区別する or 見分ける.