distinction

distinction — 名詞

1. A point of difference or contrast observed between two otherwise similar items,

1.名詞B1
釋義

區別；差異

相似事物之間的差別

A point of difference or contrast observed between two otherwise similar items, often one that a person deliberately identifies or explains.

例句

Putri struggled to see the distinction between the two shades of blue paint.

Putri 努力想看出那兩種藍色顏料之間的區別。

distinction + between + noun + and + noun

Under UK law, judges make a clear distinction between children aged twelve and older teenagers during sentencing.

根據英國法律，法官在量刑時對十二歲以下兒童和年齡較大的青少年做出了明確區分。

make a distinction between [group A] and [group B]

同義詞
  • difference

    Broader and more neutral; any way things are not the same, not necessarily a fine point

  • contrast

    Emphasizes strong, clear opposition between two things (the contrast between light and dark)

  • gap

    Suggests a large or meaningful separation (the gap between rich and poor)

反義詞
  • similarity

    A point of likeness rather than difference

文法句型

distinction + between + noun + and + noun

draw/make + a + distinction + between

用法筆記

Frequently paired with verbs that introduce or remove the difference: 'draw', 'make', 'blur', 'see', 'recognize'. The noun is usually followed by 'between X and Y'.

常見錯誤

❌There is a big distinction between cats and dogs.
✅There is a big difference between cats and dogs.
💡'distinction' is best for subtle or carefully-noted differences, not broad, obvious ones.

2. A very high level of quality, excellence, or superior performance that makes som

2.名詞B2
釋義

卓越；優異

非常優秀的品質

A very high level of quality, excellence, or superior performance that makes someone or something stand out in a particular field.

例句

Sivan achieved great distinction as a violinist before the age of twenty.

Sivan 在二十歲前就以小提琴家的身份取得了卓越的成就。

achieve distinction as a [role]

The history faculty at Melbourne is respected for its academic distinction and detailed research on Southeast Asia.

墨爾本大學的歷史學系因其學術卓越和對東南亞的深入研究而備受尊敬。

academic distinction

同義詞
  • excellence

    Straightforward and common; focuses on quality rather than recognition

  • superiority

    Stronger and more comparative; implies being better than others

  • prestige

    Emphasizes the respect and reputation that come with high quality rather than the quality itself

反義詞
  • mediocrity

    Average or ordinary quality — the opposite of standing out for excellence

文法句型

noun + of + distinction

achieve/earn + distinction

with + distinction

用法筆記

Common in formal evaluations of professional or creative work. 'A person of distinction' is a set phrase meaning someone highly respected in their field.

常見錯誤

❌She has the distinction of being very tall.
✅She is notable for being very tall.
💡'distinction' in this sense requires excellence, not just any unusual trait.

3. An official grade or mark awarded to a student whose work meets the highest stan

3.名詞B2
釋義

優等成績

學生獲得的優秀成績等級

An official grade or mark awarded to a student whose work meets the highest standard, especially in a British-style education system.

例句

Tyler graduated with a distinction in his master's programme last summer.

Tyler 去年夏天以優等成績取得了碩士學位。

graduate with a distinction in [subject/programme]

The exam board awarded Heloísa a distinction for her final-year project.

考試委員會為 Heloísa 的畢業專題頒發了優等成績。

award + a distinction + for [work]

同義詞
  • honours

    Broader category of high achievement in a degree; distinction is a more specific tier within it

  • first

    Short for 'First Class Honours' — the highest undergraduate grade in the UK, distinct from 'distinction' which is more common at postgraduate level

文法句型

graduate + with + (a) + distinction

receive + (a) + distinction + for

get + (a) + distinction

用法筆記

Used mainly in British and Commonwealth education systems. In UK universities, postgraduate degrees may be classified as 'Pass', 'Merit', or 'Distinction'. At undergraduate level, 'First Class Honours' is more common, though some institutions also award 'Distinction'.

常見錯誤

❌I got a distinction in high school math.
✅I got an A in high school math.
💡'distinction' is a specific grade level used at university level, not a general term for any good grade.

4. A notable quality or feature that makes someone or something clearly different f

4.名詞C1
釋義

獨特之處

與眾不同的特質

A notable quality or feature that makes someone or something clearly different from other similar people or things, often in a positive way.

例句

The café's only distinction is that it serves coffee until midnight.

這家咖啡館唯一的獨特之處就是營業到午夜。

only distinction — limiting collocation

The Hakka and Hokkien dialects each have their own distinction in pronunciation and cultural history.

客語和閩南語在發音和文化歷史方面各有其獨特之處。

同義詞
  • specialness

    Less formal and broader; does not necessarily imply comparison with others

  • particularity

    More formal and technical; emphasises unique specific details

  • individuality

    Focuses on the combination of traits that make someone one of a kind

反義詞

文法句型

possessive + + distinction

the + noun + 's + distinction

main/only/chief + distinction

用法筆記

Often used with possessive determiners or 's ('its distinction', 'the town's distinction'). Frequently appears in negative or limiting contexts ('the only distinction', 'no real distinction').

常見錯誤

❌His distinction is that he wears red shoes.
✅His distinguishing feature is that he wears red shoes.
💡'distinction' for this sense normally implies a more meaningful or admirable difference, not a superficial trait.