Spanish Conversation · Level 117
59 words
Spanish word
distinguir
Pronunciation
IPA/distiŋˈgiɾ/
Meaning
- verbdistinguish
Example
Con poca luz no puedo distinguir los rostros.
In low light I can't distinguish faces.
More examples
En una cata puedo distinguir varios sabores.
At a tasting I can distinguish several flavors.
Core concept
Perceiving a trait that sets an item apart from a similar one.
Common phrases
distinguir sabores
distinguish flavors
distinguir la voz
distinguish the voice
distinguir lo verdadero de lo falso
distinguish true from false
Similar words
identificar: States the exact identity or name of a person or thing.
diferenciar: Detects differences in nature or type between similar items.
reconocer: Recognizes someone or something as previously seen or known.
Definition in Spanish
Notar rasgos que permiten diferenciar un objeto o una persona de otro similar.
Word origin
Comes from Latin distinguere, literally 'set apart' from dis- 'apart' plus a root meaning 'to separate or mark', which produced the modern sense 'discern or tell apart'.
Usage tips
- The verb is normally transitive, and the reflexive distinguirse is used when the meaning is 'stand out' rather than 'tell apart'.
Other meanings
- differentiateverb
- identifyverb
- discernverb
Opposites
- confundirconfuseverb
Related words
- distincióndistinctionnoun
- distinguibledistinguishableadjective