differentiation
/ˌdɪfəˌrenʃiˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdɪfəˌrenʃiˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdi-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən/ (ame, mw)
differentiation — 名詞
- differentiationsingular
- differentiationsplural
1. the act of noticing or pointing out what makes two or more things unlike each ot
區分；辨別
指出事物之間差異的行為
the act of noticing or pointing out what makes two or more things unlike each other when they are placed side by side or examined together
The quiz asks students to make a clear differentiation between facts and personal opinions.
這項測驗要求學生清楚區分事實和個人意見。
differentiation between X and Y
Zola found it hard to draw any differentiation between the two almost identical paintings.
Zola 覺得很難分辨這兩幅幾乎一模一樣的畫作。
verb + differentiation: make / draw
Without careful differentiation, a buyer may confuse the real diamond with the fake one.
如果沒有仔細辨別，買家可能會把假鑽石當成真鑽石。
Ishaan could not see any differentiation between the author's two novels despite their different titles.
Ishaan 認為那兩位作者的小說雖然書名不同，但看不出兩者之間有什麼區分。
- distinction
more common in everyday speech; 'differentiation' feels more analytical or formal
- discrimination
can imply a finer or more precise level of noticing; also carries a separate meaning of unfair treatment
- separation
suggests physical or conceptual division rather than mental comparison
- confusion
the state of treating unlike things as the same
- conflation
the act of merging two distinct concepts into one
文法句型
differentiation between X and Y
differentiation of X from Y
用法筆記
Frequently used in the structure 'differentiation between [plural noun]' where two or more items are being compared. Often preceded by verbs such as make, draw, or require.
常見錯誤
2. the quality or process of standing apart from others of the same general type, o
差異化；區別
與同類事物不同的過程或狀態
the quality or process of standing apart from others of the same general type, or of changing a product, service, or group so that it no longer blends in with similar ones
The company's success comes from its clear differentiation from cheaper competitors in the market.
這家公司的成功來自於它與市場上低價競爭者的明顯差異化。
differentiation from + competitor group
Over time, the two dialects grew apart through a slow process of differentiation.
隨著時間推移，這兩種方言經由緩慢的差異化過程而漸行漸遠。
Asher argued that differentiation in product design helps customers recognize the brand quickly.
Asher 認為產品設計的區別性能幫助顧客快速辨識品牌。
Élise explained that brand differentiation is essential for any new product entering a crowded market.
Élise 解釋說，品牌差異化對於任何進入飽和市場的新產品來說都是不可或缺的。
- distinctiveness
emphasizes the resulting quality of being unique
- uniqueness
stronger than 'differentiation'; implies one of a kind
- divergence
suggests gradual movement apart, often used in evolutionary or technical contexts
- uniformity
the state of being all the same
- homogeneity
a more formal term for sameness throughout a group
文法句型
differentiation from [other things]
differentiation of [product/service]
用法筆記
Common in business contexts (product differentiation, brand differentiation). Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the resulting state of being different rather than the cognitive act of identifying differences.
常見錯誤
3. in biology, the process by which a simple, unspecialized cell changes into a cel
分化
細胞發展為特化結構的過程
in biology, the process by which a simple, unspecialized cell changes into a cell with a specific structure and function, such as a nerve cell, a muscle cell, or a skin cell
During embryonic development, stem cells undergo differentiation to become heart or brain cells.
在胚胎發育過程中，幹細胞會經過分化而成為心臟或大腦細胞。
cell differentiation / undergo differentiation
Haruto studied how hormone signals trigger cell differentiation in early plant growth.
Haruto 研究荷爾蒙訊號如何在植物早期生長中觸發細胞分化。
The loss of normal cell differentiation is one of the earliest signs of cancer formation.
正常細胞分化的喪失是癌症形成的最早期跡象之一。
Caio examined skin tissue under a microscope to observe the differentiation of new cells.
Caio 在顯微鏡下觀察皮膚組織，以檢視新細胞的分化情況。
- specialization
often used interchangeably in biology, though 'specialization' is broader and less technical
- maturation
focuses on reaching an adult state rather than acquiring a specific identity
- dedifferentiation
the process by which a specialized cell reverts to a simpler, less specialized state
文法句型
cell differentiation
differentiation of cells into [type]
用法筆記
A core concept in developmental biology and histology. Almost always paired with 'cell' (cell differentiation). Distinguish from sense 1: in biology, differentiation is an automatic biological process, not a conscious act of comparing.
4. in mathematics, a technique for finding the slope of a curve at a given point, w
微分（運算）
計算函數導數的數學方法
in mathematics, a technique for finding the slope of a curve at a given point, which tells you how fast one quantity is changing when another quantity changes
The calculus exam tested the students on differentiation of polynomial and trigonometric functions.
微積分考試測驗學生對多項式和三角函數的微分運算能力。
differentiation of [type of function]
Finding the velocity of a moving object requires differentiation of its position with respect to time.
求移動物體的速度需要對其位置隨時間的變化進行微分。
Nicholas used implicit differentiation to find the slope of the curve at the given point.
Nicholas 使用隱函數微分來找出曲線在指定點的斜率。
Students must master differentiation before they can move on to integration in the course.
學生必須先掌握微分，才能在課程中繼續學習積分。
- integration
the inverse operation that calculates the area under a curve rather than the slope at a point
文法句型
differentiation of [function]
implicit differentiation
用法筆記
In mathematics, 'differentiation' is the name of the operation; the result is called a 'derivative'. Usually studied after basic algebra. The opposite operation is 'integration'.
5. the area of mathematics concerned with calculating how fast things change and fi
微分學
微積分中研究變化率的領域
the area of mathematics concerned with calculating how fast things change and finding the slopes of curves; it is one of the two main parts of calculus, the other being integration
Aylin struggled at first with differentiation but found integration easier to understand.
Aylin 起初覺得微分學很難，但後來發現積分學比較容易理解。
The first semester of calculus covers differentiation while the second focuses on integration.
微積分的第一學期教授微分學，第二學期則著重在積分學。
paired with 'integration' as the two branches of calculus
Many students find differentiation more intuitive than integration when they first start calculus.
許多學生初學微積分時，覺得微分學比積分學更直觀。
The professor's research focuses on advanced differentiation and its applications in physics.
那位教授的研究著重於高等微分學及其在物理學中的應用。
- differential calculus
the full formal name for the field; 'differentiation' is a shorter, everyday alternative among math students
- integration
often used as the counterpart field (integral calculus)
文法句型
differentiation and integration
用法筆記
This sense refers to the field or subdiscipline itself rather than the individual operation (sense 4). In practice, most textbooks use 'differentiation' for both meanings, and context tells them apart: 'I studied differentiation' (the field) vs. 'perform differentiation on this function' (the operation).
6. a teaching approach in which a teacher uses different tasks, materials, or level
差異化教學
在同一課堂因材施教的教學法
a teaching approach in which a teacher uses different tasks, materials, or levels of support for different learners within the same classroom, so that each student can learn in a way that fits their ability and needs
The teacher uses differentiation to give advanced students harder problems and others more support.
老師運用差異化教學，給能力強的學生更難的題目，並給其他學生更多協助。
differentiation in classroom / for different levels
Quan prepared three levels of reading materials as part of his differentiation strategy.
Quan 準備了三種不同難度的閱讀材料，作為他差異化教學策略的一部分。
Effective differentiation allows every student in the class to work at their own level.
有效的差異化教學能讓班上每位學生都按照自己的程度學習。
Caleb plans his lessons around differentiation so that every child can participate fully.
Caleb 圍繞著差異化教學來設計他的課堂，確保每個孩子都能充分參與。
- differentiated instruction
the full term; 'differentiation' is the shortened form used by educators
- adaptive teaching
a newer term with similar meaning, more common in UK policy documents
- one-size-fits-all teaching
an approach where all students receive the same materials and tasks regardless of ability
文法句型
differentiation in the classroom
differentiation by [ability/level]
用法筆記
A standard term in modern pedagogy. Often paired with 'classroom' (classroom differentiation) or 'instruction' (differentiated instruction, which is a related phrase). Not to be confused with 'tracking' — differentiation happens within a single lesson, not by separating students into different classes.