差

• Reading: さ
• Romaji: sa
• Kanji breakdown: 差 (sa) — difference, distinction, gap
• Pronunciation: /sa/

Meaning

Difference; gap; variation. The extent to which things are not the same.

A noun and suffix expressing disparity or distinction between things. Extremely productive as a suffix: 温度差 (temperature difference), 個人差 (individual differences), 格差 (disparity). Also used with がある/がない to indicate whether a difference exists. Common in academic, scientific, and everyday contexts.

Examples

1. 二人の成績にはかなり差がある。 There's quite a gap between their grades.
2. 昼と夜の気温差が大きい季節だ。 It's the season when the temperature difference between day and night is large.
3. 経験の差が結果に表れた。 The difference in experience showed in the results.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, academics, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 差 originally depicted two hands of different heights, symbolizing unevenness or disparity. It has been used to express difference and distinction since ancient Chinese.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal