Translation guide
The English word 'sorting' refers to the act of arranging items into categories or order. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 分類 (bunrui) for categorization, while 並べ替え (narabekae) is used for ordering items. The choice depends on whether you are grouping by type or arranging by sequence.
Grouping items by type, category, or characteristics.
The most common and general term for sorting things into categories. Used for both physical objects and abstract concepts.
ゴミの分類は面倒だ。
Sorting trash is a hassle.
本をジャンル別に分類する。
I sort books by genre.
Often used for practical, hands-on sorting, such as mail, documents, or laundry. Implies separating into piles or groups.
郵便物を仕分けする。
I sort the mail.
洗濯物を色別に仕分けする。
I sort laundry by color.
Sorting with an emphasis on selection, often separating good from bad or usable from unusable. Common in agriculture and manufacturing.
果物をサイズで選別する。
They sort fruit by size.
Putting items in a specific order, such as alphabetical, numerical, or chronological.
The standard term for sorting data or items into a sequence. Commonly used in computing and everyday contexts.
ファイルを名前順に並べ替える。
Sort files by name.
データを日付で並べ替えてください。
Please sort the data by date.
Loanword from English, used almost exclusively in computing contexts. Very common in software menus.
このボタンでリストをソートできます。
You can sort the list with this button.
Means 'to line up' or 'arrange in order'. More formal and often used for physical arrangement or in mathematics.
Dealing with a problem or situation to bring order; 'sorting things out'.
Literally 'to tidy up', but often used figuratively to mean sorting out problems or tasks.
問題を早く片付けたい。
I want to sort out the problem quickly.
仕事を片付けてから出かけよう。
Let's sort out the work before going out.
Means to organize or sort out. Used for both physical tidying and abstract matters like thoughts or affairs.
頭の中を整理する必要がある。
I need to sort out my thoughts.
書類を整理する。
I sort out the documents.
分類 (bunrui) is for grouping by category (e.g., sorting laundry by color), while 並べ替え (narabekae) is for ordering by a sequence (e.g., sorting names alphabetically). Use 分類 when the result is piles or groups, and 並べ替え when the result is a list or line.
本を分類する（ジャンル別に分ける）
Sort books (divide by genre)
本を並べ替える（タイトル順に並べる）
Sort books (arrange by title)
ソート is a technical loanword used only in computing. Using it for physical sorting (like sorting laundry) sounds unnatural. Stick to 分類 or 仕分け for tangible items.
数値を昇順に整列させる。
Sort the numbers in ascending order.