French word

distinguo

Pronunciation

IPA/distɛ̃go/

Meaning

  • masculine noundistinction

Example

Ne fais pas de distinguo, traite-les de la même façon.

Don't make distinctions; treat them the same way.

Illustration for distinguo (distinction)

More examples

Il faut faire un distinguo entre faits et opinions.

A distinction must be made between facts and opinions.

Core concept

A fine dividing line that keeps two nearly similar cases from being treated alike.

Common phrases

  • faire un distinguo

    make a distinction

Similar words

différence: A clear difference in qualities or states.
nuance: A subtle difference that changes meaning or feeling.
écart: A gap or deviation shown by a number or degree.

Definition in French

Action de distinguer; différence ou nuance qui sépare deux éléments ou cas.

Word origin

French distinguo is a learned noun from Latin distinguo, "I distinguish," and is associated with distinguer, from the same Latin verb distinguere.

Usage tips

  • The usual phrase is "faire un distinguo", which marks a fine distinction and has a relatively formal register.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word