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Can anyone here help me understand the difference in nuance between 区別 and 分別
(in terms of the 'classification/distinction' meaning)? I have checked
dictionaries but they seem pretty much the same in this case. I would have
considered them interchangeable had I not just gotten a question about the
difference wrong in a mock test.
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2016-11-11T14:51:09.303
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2016-11-11T14:54:41.670
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word-choice nuances
Difference between 区別 and 分別
Basically 分別 is used only in the following two types of situations:

  * separating trash (flammable, recyclable, etc); read [ぶんべつ]{LHHH} 

>     * 燃えるゴミと燃えないゴミを分別する
>     * ゴミの分別収集にご協力ください
>     * 空き缶は分別してリサイクルしましょう

  * distinguishing the right and the wrong as a sensible adult, discretion; read [ふんべつ]{HLLL} 

>     * 物事の分別が分かる年齢になった
>     * 良いことと悪いことの分別をつける
>     * 大人としての理性と分別を身につける

According to [BCCWJ](http://www.kotonoha.gr.jp/shonagon/) these two usages are
almost equally common. There were a few other examples using 分別 (apparently
about philosophy or psychology), but I think you can safely ignore them.

区別 is "distinction" in general.
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2016-11-11T15:47:38.283
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区別 and 分別 are very similar in terms of the meaning 'classification' or
'disctinction', however, when looking at the raw/chinese meaning of '区' and
'分', we can see that they have a slight difference.

> '区' -> Distinct, zone
>
> '分' -> Divide, separate

In that sense, 区別 is more about 'distinction', identifying qualities,
differences and classifying them as types.

> 善悪の区別 -> Distinction between right and wrong, the 'good' and the 'evil'
>
> 色で区別 -> Distinguish by color

分別 is more about separating and sorting, almost physically.

> ゴミを金属類や紙類、ビン類等に分別 -> Separate garbage into metals, paper, bottles, etc.
>
> ごみの分別 -> Separation of garbage
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answer