分別(ふんべつ)

Read as ふんべつ, this word means discretion or good judgment. Note the different reading 分別(ぶんべつ) (sorting, separation — e.g., garbage sorting), which is a separate word with an existing entry.

Pronunciation

The reading is critical here:

• ふんべつ = discretion, good judgment (this entry)
• ぶんべつ = sorting, separation (see separate entry)

Usage

Often used in the patterns 分別(ふんべつ)のある (having discretion) and 分別(ふんべつ)がつく (to gain judgment/maturity). The word has a slightly old-fashioned, moral tone and is often used when admonishing someone to behave more maturely.

Common collocations

• 分別(ふんべつ)のある — having discretion/good sense
• 分別(ふんべつ)がつく — to gain judgment, to become mature enough to know better
• 分別(ふんべつ)をわきまえる — to know good judgment
• 分別(ふんべつ)盛(ざか)り — at the age of discretion

Similar words

• 判断力(はんだんりょく) — judgment, ability to judge (more neutral)
• 良識(りょうしき) — good sense, common sense (more formal)
• 思慮(しりょ) — deliberation, prudence (more literary)