How to say "discern" in Japanese

• わきまえるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'discern' in the sense of judging what is right or proper, as in 'discern right from wrong'; it is discernment as judgment and telling things apart, not perception.
• 悟るさとるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'discern' in the sense of perceiving or making something out — coming to sense, notice, or grasp it, as in discerning danger or another person's true intentions.
  彼かれはついに自分じぶんの誤あやまりを悟さとった。↗

  At last, he realized his error.

Use 「わきまえる」 when 'discern' means judging or telling apart what is right, wrong, or proper; use 「悟る」 when it means perceiving something — coming to sense, notice, or grasp it.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• わきまえるto discern (e.g. right from wrong)
• 悟るさとるto sense
• 判別がつくはんべつがつくto distinguish
• 見切るみきるto see clearly
• 嗅ぎ分けるかぎわけるto discern (one thing from another)