Meaning
分类 means to sort things into different groups or categories based on their characteristics. As a noun, it refers to the classification system itself or a particular category. It's commonly used in everyday contexts like sorting garbage, organizing files, or discussing taxonomies in science.
Usage
This word is neutral in register and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese. It frequently appears in contexts involving organization, such as 垃圾分类 (garbage sorting), library systems, online shopping categories, and scientific classification. The verb form often takes objects that are things being sorted.
Examples
- 01我们需要把这些文件按主题分类。.We need to classify these documents by topic.
- 02上海已经开始实行垃圾分类了。.Shanghai has already started implementing garbage sorting.
Characters
Measure words
- 种三种分类
- 个一个分类系统
Common collocations
- 垃圾分类garbage sorting/classification
- 分类管理classified management
- 进行分类to carry out classification
- 详细分类detailed classification
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 分 (to divide) and 类 (category/type), literally meaning 'to divide into types.' This transparent compound reflects the core meaning of separating items into distinct groups.