Meaning and Usage
"差別" (さべつ) primarily means "discrimination" or "differentiation," often referring to unfair treatment based on characteristics like race, gender, or age. It is commonly used in social and legal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 性別差別 (せいべつさべつ): gender discrimination
- 人種差別 (じんしゅさべつ): racial discrimination
- 差別をなくす: to eliminate discrimination
Usage Notes
When using "差別," speakers usually imply an unfair or unjust distinction. It is often discussed in serious contexts such as laws, social issues, and human rights. Avoid confusing it with neutral differentiation words like "区別" (くべつ), which can mean simple distinction without negative connotation.
Register and Politeness
"差別" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the topic itself is serious, so polite or formal language often accompanies it in conversation or writing.