identity

Compared meaning: the traits that show who someone or something is (noun).

比较义项：某人或事物本身是谁／是什么，或使其区别于他人的特性（名词）。

• identity 本词

  Identity is the basic fact of who or what a person or thing is, often shown by verifiable features like name, appearance or records; it can be shared with others, as in a national identity.

  identity指某人或某事物本身是谁、是什么这一基本事实，常通过姓名、外貌或记录等可核实的特征来体现，并且这种身份可以与他人共有，例如民族身份。

  Fingerprints are often used to verify a person's identity.

  指纹常被用来核实一个人的身份。

• individuality

  Individuality refers to the specific traits or style that make one person or thing stand out as different from everyone else, often linked to personal expression or nonconformity, not to official recognition.

  individuality指使某人或某事物区别于其他所有人的具体特质或风格，常与个人表达或不随大流有关，而不是与官方身份辨认相关。

  The strict dress code discourages any expression of individuality among staff.

  严格的着装规定不鼓励员工表现个性。

Both words relate to what makes someone distinct. Identity is the basic fact of who someone is, shown by a name or records. Individuality is the style that makes one person stand out from others. Identity can also mean 'exact sameness'; not compared here.

这两个词都可以对应中文的“特性”，但侧重点不同：identity强调“某人或某事物本身是谁、是什么”这一事实，常用于身份确认、辨认等场合；individuality强调“使某人或某事物区别于他人的独特品质”，常与个性表达、不随大流相关。identity在其他语境中还可以指“完全相同、同一性”（如数学中的恒等式），这里不作比较。