差距

• Pinyin: chā jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 差 (differ) + 距 (distance)

Meaning

Gap; disparity; margin.

Emphasizes the degree or extent of difference, often implying a hierarchical or quantitative gap. Common in discussions of economic, educational, or technological disparities.

Examples

1. 发达国家和发展中国家的经济差距仍然很大。 The economic gap between developed and developing countries is still very large.
2. 他和冠军之间的差距只有零点一秒。 The gap between him and the champion is only 0.1 seconds.
3. 我们要努力缩小贫富差距。 We must work hard to narrow the wealth gap.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, education, sports

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 差距太大了。(The gap is too big.)
• 我们正在缩小差距。(We're closing the gap.)

Don't Say

• 用'差距'描述事物的本质不同——用'差别'更准确 (Don't use 差距 for essential differences between things — 差别 is more accurate)

Origin & History

Compound of 差 (differ) + 距 (distance), meaning 'the distance of difference.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal