辨 (biàn) — to differentiate, to distinguish, to discriminate (between/among)
Definition
A formal/written verb meaning 'to tell apart, to distinguish', typically paired with 出 (辨出). Stronger than 区别 (v.), which focuses on 'seeing/pointing out a difference' rather than the act of discriminating.
verb
to differentiateto distinguishto discriminate (between/among)
Examples
- 辨。Cóng yán sè shàng hěn nán biàn chū zhēn jiǎ.It's hard to differentiate real from fake by color.
- 辨。Zhuān jiā néng qīng yì biàn chū gǔ dǒng de zhēn wěi.Experts can easily distinguish genuine antiques from fakes.
- 辨？Nǐ néng biàn chū zhè liǎng fú huà de qū bié ma?Can you tell the difference between these two paintings?
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
辡
辡biàn辨biàn
Same sound today
辨 pairs 刀 (knife) with 辡, made of two knives. The two knives suggest two prisoners accusing each other, giving different accounts that must be sorted out.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.