distinguer

to distinguish, tell apart

verb dees-tan-GEH Less Common

Also means

to make out, perceive

Usage Note

distinguer can mean to visually make out something at a distance (on distinguait à peine la côte — 'one could barely make out the coast') or to differentiate between things (distinguer le vrai du faux — 'to distinguish truth from falsehood'). The reflexive se distinguer means 'to stand out, excel'. Distingué as an adjective means 'distinguished, refined'.

Examples

"Il est difficile de les distinguer."

Natural Translation

It is difficult to tell them apart.

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