vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Diferencia" is a form of "diferencia", a noun which is often translated as "difference". "Diferencias" is a form of "diferenciar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to distinguish". Learn more about the difference between "diferencia" and "diferencias" below.
la diferencia(
dee
-
feh
-
rehn
-
syah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. difference
La diferencia entre estos dos tonos de gris es mínima.The difference between these two shades of gray is minimal.
b. gap
Los gerentes afirman que están tratando de eliminar la diferencia salarial basada en el género.The managers claim that they are attempting to close the gender-based wage gap.
a. difference
Cual es la diferencia entre 20 y 15? - La diferencia es igual a cinco.What is the difference between 20 and 15? - The difference is five.
a. difference
Podemos solucionar nuestras diferencias sin recurrir a la violencia.We can solve our differences without resorting to violence.
diferenciar(
dee
-
feh
-
rehn
-
syahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to discern)
a. to distinguish
No soy sommelier, pero puedo diferenciar un vino bueno de uno barato.I'm not a sommelier, but I can distinguish a good wine from a cheap one.
b. to differentiate
El color del gato te puede ayudar a diferenciar un macho de una hembra.The color of the cat can help you differentiate a male from a female.
c. to tell the difference
¡Lucía ni puede diferenciar un Picasso de un Van Gogh!Lucia can't even tell the difference between a Picasso and a Van Gogh!
d. to tell apart
¡Tus hijas son muy parecidas! A veces me cuesta diferenciarlas.Your daughters look alike! Sometimes I can't tell them apart.
a. to make different
¿Me puedes explicar qué es lo que diferencia a los socialistas de los comunistas?Can you explain to me what makes socialists and communist different?
diferenciarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be different
Esta especie se diferencia porque presenta alas más cortas.This species is different because its wings are shorter.
b. to differ
La Iglesia católica se diferencia de la ortodoxa en algunos aspectos clave.The Catholic and the Orthodox Church differ in some key aspects.
a. to stand out
Nuestra universidad se diferencia por su distinguido cuerpo docente.Our university stands out for its distinguished faculty.
