区別

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 区別, read くべつ, combines division 区 with separation 別 to denote distinguishing things by a criterion.
• Basic usage: It means distinguishing similar things by a criterion, as in 鳥を模様で区別する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Grammar and combinations
  • The distinguished objects can take を and the criterion で; it differs from discriminatory treatment 差別.