Translation guide
The English verb 'discriminate' has two main meanings: to treat people unfairly based on group membership, and to perceive or distinguish differences. This guide focuses on the first meaning, which is the most common and important for learners, and briefly covers the second.
To express the act of treating someone or a group unfairly because of their race, gender, age, etc.
It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age. · She felt she was being discriminated against because of her gender.
The standard and most direct translation for 'discriminate' in the sense of unfair treatment. It is a transitive verb taking the particle を.
彼は人種で人を差別している。
He discriminates against people based on race.
女性を差別してはいけない。
You must not discriminate against women.
To perceive or recognize the difference between things. This meaning is less common in everyday English and often appears in formal or academic contexts.
Babies can discriminate between different sounds. · The test can discriminate between the two strains of the virus.
The most common verb for 'distinguish' or 'tell apart'. It is used for both physical and abstract differences.
彼は善悪を区別できない。
He cannot discriminate between right and wrong.
差別する almost always carries the negative connotation of unfair discrimination. Using it to mean 'tell apart' will sound very strange or offensive. Use 区別する or 見分ける instead.
彼は善悪を差別できない。
He cannot discriminate between right and wrong. (unnatural/offensive)
差別 (sabetsu) is discrimination in the social injustice sense. 区別 (kubetsu) is distinction or differentiation. When translating 'discriminate', choose based on whether the context is about unfair treatment or simply telling things apart.
法律は性的指向に基づいて従業員を差別することを禁じている。
The law prohibits discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation.
本物のダイヤと偽物を見分けられますか？
Can you discriminate between a real diamond and a fake one?
Literally 'to treat in a discriminatory way'. This phrase is useful when you want to emphasize the manner of treatment rather than the act itself.
その会社は外国人に対して差別的な扱いをしている。
That company discriminates against foreigners.
Means 'to treat coldly' or 'to give unfavorable treatment'. It can imply discrimination but is less direct and often used in contexts like workplace ostracism.
彼は上司に冷遇されている。
He is being discriminated against by his boss.
It's hard to discriminate colors.
Often used for technical or sensory discrimination, like identifying objects or patterns. More formal than 区別する.
この装置は偽札を識別できる。
This device can discriminate counterfeit bills.
Literally 'to distinguish by looking'. Used for visual discrimination, often in everyday speech.
双子を見分けるのは難しい。
It's hard to discriminate between the twins.