classify
- v. 分类, 归类
- Definition
- v. to arrange things into groups according to their type or quality
- Example
- Scientists classify animals into groups based on their features.
- 科学家根据动物的特征将它们分类。
Synonyms & Differences 近义词辨析
Compared meaning: to group things into categories (verb).
比较义项：把事物分门归类（动词）。
- sort
A common, everyday verb; can mean grouping items OR simply putting them in order. Used for casual, physical tasks and often paired with "into" or "by".
日常通用词；既可以指把物品分组，也可以只表示排出顺序。常用于日常、具体的事务，常与“into”或“by”搭配。
Can you sort the laundry into darks and lights before washing?
你能在洗衣服之前把衣物分成深色和浅色两堆吗？
- classify 本词
A more formal, technical verb; always implies grouping by shared type, category, or quality according to a system, common in scientific or official contexts.
更正式、专业的动词；总是指依据类型、类别或性质进行系统性分组，常见于科学或官方语境。
Biologists classify whales as mammals, not fish.
生物学家把鲸鱼归类为哺乳动物，而不是鱼类。
Sort and classify both mean to separate things by a standard, but differ. Sort is common and everyday, meaning to group items or simply put them in order. Classify is more formal, always meaning grouping by shared type or quality, common in scientific contexts.
两者都指把事物按某种标准分开归类，但 sort 更口语化，也可以只表示排出顺序，不一定依据类别；classify 更正式，强调依照类型或性质进行系统分类，常见于科学、官方语境。