“区别”常见的英文表达有 difference、distinction、distinguish(动词形式,相关名词为distinction,但此处侧重动词用法对应的含义) 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
含义:最常用的表达,指两个或多个事物之间的差异、不同之处,强调事实上的不同。
例句:
There is a big difference between the two cities.(这两座城市之间有很大的区别。)
Can you tell the difference between these two pictures?(你能看出这两幅画有什么区别吗?)
含义:更正式、书面,常指在性质、重要性、等级等方面有明显的区别或差异,有时还带有“区别对待、区分”的含义。也可作可数名词,表示“荣誉、殊荣”。
例句:
There is a clear distinction between right and wrong.(对与错之间有明显的区别。)
She has received many distinctions in her career.(她在职业生涯中获得了许多荣誉。)
含义:意为“区分、辨别”,强调通过观察、比较等方式识别出不同之处,常与“between”或“from”连用。
例句:
It's hard to distinguish the twins.(很难区分这对双胞胎。)
Can you distinguish this kind of flower from that one?(你能区分这种花和那种花吗?)