Translation guide
The English word "discrimination" has two main meanings: unfair treatment based on group membership, and the ability to distinguish fine differences. The first meaning is more common in everyday use, while the second is more formal or technical.
To express the concept of treating people unfairly based on race, gender, age, etc.
racial discrimination · gender discrimination · age discrimination · discrimination in the workplace
The standard word for discrimination in the social sense. Used for all types of unfair treatment based on group characteristics.
To express the ability to notice or understand small differences between things.
visual discrimination · auditory discrimination · discrimination of colors · discrimination between right and wrong
差別 is specifically unfair treatment, while 区別 is neutral distinction. Using 区別 to mean social discrimination can sound euphemistic or indirect. For clear communication about social issues, use 差別.
Using 差別 to mean simply telling things apart (like colors or sounds) is incorrect and can cause confusion. Use 識別 or 区別 instead.
人種に基づく差別は違法です。
Discrimination based on race is illegal.
彼女は優れた色識別能力を持っている。
She has excellent color discrimination.
人種差別は許されない。
Racial discrimination is unacceptable.
性別による差別をなくそう。
Let's eliminate discrimination based on gender.
Literally "unfair treatment". A more general phrase that can be used when you want to emphasize the injustice without specifying the type of discrimination.
彼は職場で不当な扱いを受けた。
He faced unfair treatment at work.
Means "prejudice" or "bias". Often used together with 差別 to describe the underlying attitudes that lead to discrimination.
偏見と差別をなくすことが大切だ。
It's important to eliminate prejudice and discrimination.
Primarily means "distinction" or "differentiation", but in some contexts can imply discriminatory treatment, especially when used with negative connotations. Less direct than 差別.
区別 is neutral in most contexts; only implies discrimination when the context makes it clear.
彼は人を学歴で区別する。
He discriminates against people based on their educational background.
The most direct equivalent for "discrimination" in the sense of telling things apart. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
この装置は色を高精度で識別できる。
This device can discriminate colors with high precision.
彼は微妙な音の違いを識別する能力がある。
He has the ability to discriminate subtle differences in sound.
A common, everyday word for distinguishing or telling things apart. Slightly less formal than 識別.
双子の区別がつかない。
I can't discriminate between the twins.
善悪の区別を教える。
Teach the discrimination between right and wrong.
A more technical term for discrimination, often used in psychology or sensory perception.
聴覚の弁別能力をテストする。
Test auditory discrimination ability.
Often used in the phrase 見分けがつく, meaning to be able to tell things apart visually or by observation. More casual than 識別.
本物と偽物の見分けがつきますか？
Can you discriminate between the real and the fake?