How to say "recognize" in Japanese

• 認めるみとめるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers recognize as noticing something or acknowledging it as true, valid, or worthy: recognizing a fact, or someone's effort or ability. This is the word you want for that sense.
  ｘ線写真えっくすせんしゃしんで異状いじょうが認みとめられます。↗

  We have detected an abnormality on your x-ray.
• 見分けるみわけるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers recognize as identifying what something is by telling it apart from similar things — recognizing genuine items from fakes, or one lookalike from another. Not for acknowledging facts or worth.
  彼かれと彼かれの兄あにを見分みわけるのは簡単かんたんだ。↗

  It is easy to tell him from his brother.
• 買うかうJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbA marginal match: it covers recognize only in the sense of valuing someone's ability or worth highly, thinking well of it. It never means noticing or identifying something.
  彼かれのスキーヤーとしての優秀ゆうしゅう性せいは十分じゅうぶんに買かっています。↗

  We fully appreciate his excellence as a skier.

Choose 「認める」 when recognize means to notice or acknowledge a fact, effort, or ability; 「見分ける」 when it means to identify or tell things apart; 「買う」 only when it means to value someone's ability highly.

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

• 認めるみとめるto recognize
• 見分けるみわけるto distinguish
• 見知るみしるto recognise
• 目するもくするto regard (as)
• 聞き分けるききわけるto recognize (by sound)
• 見覚えがあるみおぼえがあるto recognize
• 見覚えるみおぼえるto remember
• 見分けがつくみわけがつくto be able to tell apart
• 目すもくすto regard (as)
• いたわるto appreciate
• 買うかうto value (highly)
• リアライズto realize