Translation guide
The act of putting things into groups or types. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 分類 (bunrui) or the verb 分類する (bunrui suru). Other expressions exist for specific contexts like sorting, labeling, or organizing.
Expressing the act or result of putting things into categories based on shared characteristics.
The most common and general term for classification or categorization. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb.
本をジャンルごとに分類する。
I categorize books by genre.
この分類は分かりやすい。
This categorization is easy to understand.
Refers to division or classification into distinct sections or categories, often used in formal or administrative contexts.
年齢による区分
categorization by age
Refers to sorting or classifying items, often in a practical or physical sense, like sorting mail or goods.
書類の仕分けが終わった。
I finished sorting the documents.
Describing the process of putting something into a category.
The standard verb meaning 'to classify' or 'to categorize'. Used in both formal and informal contexts.
これらのデータを分類してください。
Please categorize this data.
A more casual way to say 'divide into categories'. カテゴリー is a loanword from English.
写真をカテゴリーに分ける。
I categorize photos.
Literally 'to divide into groups'. Common in everyday speech.
生徒をグループ分けする。
I group the students.
Giving something a specific label or tag to indicate its category.
Means 'to attach a label'. Used when physically or digitally labeling items.
ファイルにラベルを付けて整理する。
I organize files by labeling them.
Means 'to tag', commonly used in digital contexts like social media or file management.
写真にタグ付けする。
I tag photos.
Referring to a structured system of categories, like in science or library science.
A formal term for 'classification system' or 'taxonomy'.
生物の分類体系
biological classification system
A less common term using the loanword カテゴリー, sometimes used in business or IT.
商品のカテゴリー体系を見直す。
We review the product category system.
分類 is the most general and widely used term for categorization. 区分 emphasizes division into distinct sections, often used in legal or administrative contexts. 仕分け is more about the physical act of sorting items into groups, like mail or inventory.
While カテゴリゼーション exists as a loanword, it is rarely used. Stick to 分類 or カテゴリー分け for natural Japanese.