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What is the Kanji for 'Difference'? | 差

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Difference', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Difference' is 差.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Difference

    Reading

    kunyomi

    sa

    onyomi

    sa

    Parts

    Left Sheep

    Example Word

    差: difference. The Japanese noun '差 (さ)' primarily means 'difference'. It refers to the distinction or gap between two or more things, whether in quantity, quality, or degree. This word is often used in contexts where comparison is involved. For example: there is a big difference between them「彼らの間には大きな差がある」(かれらのあいだにはおおきなさがある). The temperature difference is significant「温度の差が大きい」(おんどのさがおおきい). Additionally, '差' can also be used in mathematical contexts to denote the result of subtraction, as in 'the difference between 10 and 6 is 4'「10と6の差は4です」(じゅうとろくのさはよんです).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    547

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Left

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sheep

Words Using

This kanji is used in 16 words:

    word

    交差点

    Meaning

    Intersection

    word

    Meaning

    Difference

    word

    時差

    Meaning

    Timezone, Jetlag

    word

    差し上げる

    Meaning

    Give

    word

    差別

    Meaning

    Discrimination

    word

    差し出す

    Meaning

    Offer

    word

    差す

    Meaning

    Point, Pour

    word

    指差す

    Meaning

    Point

    word

    交差

    Meaning

    Crossing

    word

    日差し

    Meaning

    Sunlight

    word

    物差し

    Meaning

    Ruler

    word

    人差し指

    Meaning

    Index finger

    word

    差異

    Meaning

    Difference

    word

    眼差し

    Meaning

    Gaze

    word

    格差

    Meaning

    Gap

    word

    差し込む

    Meaning

    Insert, Pierce

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 2 kanji contain the part 左 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Assist, Help

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lazy

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 羊 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    South

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slow, Late

    kanji

    Meaning

    Righteousness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Flock

    kanji

    Meaning

    Way, Form

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ocean, Western style

    kanji

    Meaning

    Detailed

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fresh, Vivid

    kanji

    Meaning

    Auspicious

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 差 mean?

差 means 'Difference'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.