見分(みわ)ける

みわける
verb (ichidan)
to distinguish; to tell apart
1. to distinguish; to tell apart; to differentiate
To recognize the difference between similar things or people by looking at them.
双子(ふたご)を見分(みわ)けるのは難(むずか)しい。
It's hard to tell twins apart.
本物(ほんもの)と偽物(にせもの)を見分(みわ)ける方法(ほうほう)を教(おし)えてください。
Please teach me how to distinguish the real from the fake.
新鮮(しんせん)な魚(さかな)と古(ふる)い魚(さかな)を見分(みわ)けられますか。
Can you tell fresh fish from old fish?

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Takes を. Compound verb: 見(み)る + 分(わ)ける.

NUANCE: Emphasizes visual discrimination - the ability to see and recognize differences. Compare with 聞(き)き分(わ)ける (to distinguish by hearing).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • AとBを見分(みわ)ける: to tell A and B apart
  • 見分(みわ)けがつかない: to be indistinguishable
  • 見分(みわ)けられる: to be able to distinguish

SIMILAR:

  • 区別(くべつ)する: to distinguish, to differentiate (more general)
  • 判別(はんべつ)する: to discriminate, to identify (more formal)

Related Words

Related: 区別(くべつ)する
core
Added 2026.1.17 20:08 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06348_miwakeru