区别
Traditional: 區別
qū bié HSK 4

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

这两个词有区别。
Zhè liǎng gè cí yǒu qūbié.
These two words have a difference.
你能告诉我区别吗?
Nǐ néng gàosu wǒ qūbié ma?
Can you tell me the difference?
区别很大,要小心。
Qūbié hěn dà, yào xiǎoxīn.
The difference is big, be careful.
颜色有区别。
Yánsè yǒu qūbié.
Colors have differences.
价格区别很大。
Jiàgé qūbié hěn dà.
The price difference is big.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 区别 as 'zone-bie' where 'zone' hints at dividing or separating areas, and 'bie' sounds like '别' meaning 'other' or 'different.' So, 区别 helps you 'zone out' the differences between things. Alternatively, associate it with the English word 'cue' (as in a signal) to remember it points out distinctions.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly employed in discussions, analyses, or descriptions where comparing or contrasting items is necessary, such as in academic, technical, or everyday conversations.

📖 Grammar Points

区别 is typically used as a noun in sentences, often following verbs like 有 (yǒu, to have) or 没有 (méiyǒu, to not have) to indicate the presence or absence of a difference. It can also be used in structures like '把...区别开来' (bǎ... qūbié kāilái) meaning 'to distinguish... from...' or 'A 和 B 的区别' (A hé B de qūbié) meaning 'the difference between A and B.'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, emphasizing 区别 can reflect a value on precision and clarity in communication, especially in educational or professional settings. It may also relate to social contexts where distinctions in status or roles are acknowledged, though the word itself is neutral and widely applicable.

🔄 Similar Words

区别 is similar to 差异 (chāyì), which also means 'difference,' but 差异 often implies a more subtle or nuanced variation, while 区别 is more general and can refer to any type of distinction. Another related word is 不同 (bùtóng), meaning 'different,' but it is an adjective, whereas 区别 is a noun focusing on the distinction itself.

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