Difference between 区別 and 分別

Question

Can anyone here help me understand the difference in nuance between 区別 and 分別 (in terms of the 'classification/distinction' meaning)? I have checked dictionaries but they seem pretty much the same in this case. I would have considered them interchangeable had I not just gotten a question about the difference wrong in a mock test.

Answer 1

Basically 分別 is used only in the following two types of situations:

• separating trash (flammable, recyclable, etc); read [ぶんべつ]{LHHH}

  • 燃えるゴミと燃えないゴミを分別する
  • ゴミの分別収集にご協力ください
  • 空き缶は分別してリサイクルしましょう

• distinguishing the right and the wrong as a sensible adult, discretion; read [ふんべつ]{HLLL}

  • 物事の分別が分かる年齢になった
  • 良いことと悪いことの分別をつける
  • 大人としての理性と分別を身につける

According to BCCWJ these two usages are almost equally common. There were a few other examples using 分別 (apparently about philosophy or psychology), but I think you can safely ignore them.

区別 is "distinction" in general.

Answer 2

区別 and 分別 are very similar in terms of the meaning 'classification' or 'disctinction', however, when looking at the raw/chinese meaning of '区' and '分', we can see that they have a slight difference.

'区' -> Distinct, zone

'分' -> Divide, separate

In that sense, 区別 is more about 'distinction', identifying qualities, differences and classifying them as types.

善悪の区別 -> Distinction between right and wrong, the 'good' and the 'evil'

色で区別 -> Distinguish by color

分別 is more about separating and sorting, almost physically.

ゴミを金属類や紙類、ビン類等に分別 -> Separate garbage into metals, paper, bottles, etc.

ごみの分別 -> Separation of garbage