違い

• Reading: ちがい
• Romaji: chigai
• Kanji breakdown: 違 (chiga/i) — to differ, to be wrong
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Difference; distinction; discrepancy. The quality of being unlike or dissimilar.

The noun form of the verb 違う (chigau, to differ). Commonly used when comparing two or more things. Appears in patterns like AとBの違い (A to B no chigai, the difference between A and B) and 間違い (machigai, mistake). Essential for analytical and comparative discussion.

Examples

1. この二つの違いがわかりますか。 Can you tell the difference between these two?
2. 日本とアメリカの文化の違いは大きいです。 The cultural differences between Japan and America are significant.
3. 色の違いに気がつきました。 I noticed the difference in color.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, analysis, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 違う (chigau). The kanji 違 combines 辶 (movement) and 韋 (leather, to go against), suggesting going in a different direction — divergence.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal