分辨 fēnbiàn to distinguish
to distinguish; to differentiate; to resolve
How to remember 分辨: 分 divide + 辨 to recognize = to distinguish.
Characters
How it is used
- 'To distinguish / tell apart' by the senses or judgment - 分辨真假 (fēnbiàn zhēnjiǎ) to tell real from fake, 难以分辨 hard to distinguish.
- Uses 辨 (distinguish, knife in the middle), NOT 辩 (argue). Don't confuse with 分辩 (fēnbiàn, to defend oneself/argue one's case) - same sound, different second character.
Example sentences
- 你知道分辨好坏吗？ Nǐ zhīdào fēnbiàn hǎohuài ma?Do you know the difference between good and bad?
- 我常常能分辨出来一个人是不是瞒着我什么事情。 Wǒ chángcháng néng fēnbiàn chūlái yígè rén shìbúshì mán zhe wǒ shénme shìqíng.I can usually tell when someone is hiding something from me.