分類|ぶんるいbunrui[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbclassification; categorization; sorting
   彼かれは書類しょるいの分類ぶんるいを終おえた。↗

   He finished sorting the papers.

• Synonym種別しゅべつWrittenWritten style. Distinguishing by type, as in 「種別を記入する」; tends to be a classification item on forms or in systems rather than the act of classifying.
• Synonym区分くぶんNeutralDividing a whole into sections or zones, as in 「区分する」; leans toward drawing boundaries rather than sorting by type.
• Synonym分別ぶんべつNeutralSorting things such as garbage by type, as in 「ゴミの分別」; leans toward everyday sorting of waste rather than general classification.
• Synonym区分けくわけNeutralA more casual, conversational word for dividing or sorting things out than 「区分」.
• Synonym選別せんべつNeutralSorting by selection, as in 「不良品を選別する」; the focus is picking out good from bad rather than general classification.
• Synonym選り分けるよりわけるNeutralPicking out and separating items, as in 「良いものを選り分ける」; leans toward hands-on selection.
• Synonym分けるわけるNeutralThe most common word: to divide, split or share out. Its range is broad, while 分類 specifically means sorting into types by a set standard.
• Synonym仕分けしわけNeutralNoun for sorting and grouping items, as in the logistics phrase 「仕分け作業」.
• Synonym類別るいべつWrittenWritten style. Dividing into categories by type; synonymous with 分類, but actual examples are few.
• Synonym部分けぶわけNeutralDividing things into several groups, but examples are scarce; in everyday speech 分類 is the usual word.
• Synonym部別ぶべつWrittenWritten style. Sorting into several classes; rarely used in modern Japanese.
• Synonym口分けくちわけNeutralAn assortment combining items of various kinds; rare in modern usage.
• Synonym仕分けるしわけるNeutralVerb for sorting items by type, as in 「荷物を仕分ける」; leans toward logistics and accounting contexts.
• Synonymカテゴリー化カテゴリーかNeutralAssigning things to categories; leans toward academic and IT usage.
• Related区別くべつNeutralTelling apart the difference between two things, as in 「公私の区別」; the point is recognizing what differs, not necessarily sorting into multiple classes.
• Related整理せいりNeutralPutting things in order, as in 「書類を整理する」; the aim is tidiness, so it does not necessarily mean sorting into categories.
• Related配列はいれつNeutralArranging items in a set order, as in 「五十音順に配列する」; about sequencing, not sorting into categories.
• Related整頓せいとんNeutralTidying things up and arranging them neatly, often in the set phrase 「整理整頓」; about neatness rather than classification.
• Antonym統合とうごうNeutralAntonym. Bringing scattered things together into one whole — the reverse of sorting things into categories.
• Antonym合一ごういつWrittenAntonym. Written style. Merging into a single whole — the opposite of separating things into categories.

Use 「分類」 for sorting things into types by a set standard, as in 「生物の分類」. For telling two things apart say 「区別」, for garbage sorting 「分別」, for logistics sorting 「仕分け」, and for picking out good from bad 「選別」. 「区分」 covers dividing into sections, 「整理」 and 「整頓」 tidying up, 「配列」 ordering, and 「分ける」 is the everyday verb for dividing. 「種別」 and 「類別」 are written-style alternatives. The antonyms 「統合」 and 「合一」 mean combining into one.

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

1. 個々ここの事物じぶつをある基準きじゅんによって種類しゅるいごとに分わけること。類別るいべつ。