jan1 bit6甄別甄别
Definition
To appraise, screen, or distinguish the quality or authenticity of something.
How it's used
Possesses a formal and analytical tone, often appearing in professional, legal, or technical contexts rather than casual conversation. It implies a systematic process of sorting or evaluating items to determine their authenticity, quality, or category. While it shares the meaning of identifying differences with 鑒別, it carries a stronger connotation of screening or filtering through a large group to select the correct ones.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 辨別, which is more general and refers to simply telling things apart. Use 甄別 when there is a formal process of evaluation or selection involved, whereas 辨別 is suitable for everyday situations like telling left from right or good from bad.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
