Chinese word

区别

Pronunciation

Pinyinqū bié

Meaning

  • noundifference

Example

这两件衣服有什么区别吗？zhè liǎng jiàn yī fú yǒu shén me qū bié ma

Is there any difference between these two pieces of clothing?

Illustration for 区别 (difference)

More examples

他们在意见上有很大的区别。tā men zài yì jiàn shàng yǒu hěn dà de qū bié

There is a big difference in their opinions.

Core concept

A point of contrast that shows how two things are not alike.

Common phrases

  • 有什么区别yǒu shén me qū bié

    what difference

  • 没有区别méi yǒu qū bié

    no difference

  • 很大的区别hěn dà de qū bié

    big difference

Similar words

差别chā bié: A noticeable difference between things in their quality, size, level, or effect.
不同点bù tóng diǎn: A particular point at which two things or matters are not alike.
差异chā yì: A difference shown in the qualities or results of things.

Definition in Chinese

两件事物在性质、形状、功能或程度等方面存在的不同点。liǎng jiàn shì wù zài xìng zhì xíng zhuàng gōng néng huò chéng dù děng fāng miàn cún zài de bù tóng diǎn

Word origin

区别 (qūbié, "difference") combines 区 (qū, "area or division") + 别 (bié, "separate"), so its basic image is a division that shows how things differ.

Usage tips

  • In everyday comparison questions, the noun commonly appears in a pattern meaning "is there a difference?", while its verb use places the two compared items after it.

Other meanings

  • distinctionnoun
  • distinguishverb

Opposites

  • 相同点xiāng tóng diǎnsimilaritynoun
  • 共同点gòng tóng diǎnsimilaritynoun

Related words

  • 区别对待qū bié duì dàitreat differentlyverb

Word lists with this word