How to say "distinction" in Japanese

• 別べつJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounCovers distinction in the sense of things being separate or distinct from each other, as in treating two matters as different. As a standalone noun for 'distinction' it is less typical than the other candidates.
• 差別さべつJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbMeans making a distinction or differentiation between things, but in everyday usage it strongly suggests unfair discrimination against people. Rarely the word you want for a neutral 'distinction'.
  その週間しゅうかんは差別さべつとは関係かんけいがなかった。↗

  That week had nothing to do with discrimination.
• 違いちがいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a difference or distinction between two or more things, answering 'what makes them different?'. This is usually the natural choice when English 'distinction' simply means a difference.
  私は１分ふん違ちがいで列車れっしゃに乗のり遅おくれた。↗

  I missed the train by a minute.
• 区別くべつJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA distinction drawn between things that are similar but must be kept separate, or the act of telling them apart. Best for 'making a distinction between A and B' in careful or formal discussion.
  私は彼女かのじょと妹いもうとを区別くべつできなかった。↗

  I couldn't tell her from her sister.
• 識別しきべつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDistinction in the sense of discerning or identifying something, telling items apart by recognition, as in pattern or signal identification. Use it for perception and identification rather than abstract contrast.
  私の目めは色いろが識別しきべつしにくくなってきた。↗

  My eyes have become less appreciative of colors.

For 'distinction' as a difference between things, 「違い」 and 区別 are the usual choices; 別 covers being separate, while 差別 and 識別 point to discrimination or identification.

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

• 別べつdistinction
• 差別さべつdistinction
• 違いちがいdifference
• 区別くべつdistinction
• 識別しきべつdistinction
• 判別はんべつdistinction
• 見分けみわけdistinction
• けじめdistinction
• 分かちわかちdistinction
• 隔てへだてpartition
• 特徴とくちょうfeature
• 名誉めいよhonor
• 分別ぶんべつseparation (e.g. of rubbish when recycling)
• 分け隔てわけへだてdistinction
• 見境みさかいdistinction
• 秀しゅうpreeminence
• 文目あやめpattern
• 栄達えいたつfame
• 弁別べんべつdistinguishing
• 分別心ふんべつしんprudence
• 区別立てくべつだてdifferentiation
• 功名こうみょうgreat achievement
• きらいdistinction
• 変わりかわりdifference
• 一線いっせんboundary
• 甲乙こうおつsuperiority and (or) inferiority