Learn Korean: Noun + 구분

Let's take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Noun + 구분. There are times when we cannot tell the difference between two things, because they look the same. For example, your friend just tried on a dress she is wearing to a party, but instead of complimenting how gorgeous she looks, you paid attention to her chest saying she needs to put some stuff as she is not gifted with a big one. You then went on saying you cannot tell whether you are seeing her breasts or her back. They are both flat. In this case, you need to negate 구분하다 into 구분할 수가 없다 and attach 인지 to the two nouns.

가슴인지 등짝인지 구분할 수가 없어.

I can’t tell whether it is breast or back.

파란색인지 하얀색인지 구분할 수가 없어.

I can’t tell whether it is blue or white.

한국 사람인지 일본 사람인지 구분할 수가 없어.

I can’t tell whether he is Korean or Japanese.