誤差

• Reading: ごさ
• Romaji: gosa
• Kanji breakdown: 誤 (go) — mistake, error; 差 (sa) — difference, discrepancy
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.sa/

Meaning

Measurement error; calculation error; the difference between an observed value and the true value.

A noun used in science, engineering, statistics, and everyday contexts to describe a discrepancy between an expected or true value and an actual measurement. Common phrases: 誤差がある (there is an error/margin), 誤差の範囲 (margin of error), 誤差を最小限にする (to minimise error). Also used colloquially: 誤差の範囲内 (within an acceptable margin).

Examples

1. 実験の結果には多少の誤差が含まれている。 The experimental results contain some degree of error.
2. この時計は1秒以内の誤差で動いている。 This clock runs with a margin of error of less than one second.
3. 世論調査の結果は誤差の範囲内だと発表された。 The poll results were announced to be within the margin of error.

Usage Guide

Context: science, engineering, statistics

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 誤 (mistake, error) + 差 (difference, discrepancy). Together they describe the difference caused by error — the gap between the measured and true values.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students and professionals

Social background: Universal