What is the Kanji for "Difference"?

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".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Sa".

Its onyomi reading is "Sa".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "左" means "Left" and can be read as "Hidari" and "Sa". And The kanji "羊" means "Sheep" and can be read as "You" and "Hitsuji".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "差" mean in japanese?

"差" means "Difference".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

交差点: "Intersection". The Japanese noun '交差点 (こうさてん)' refers to an intersection, or a point where two or more roads cross each other. Intersections are important points in a transportation network, where traffic from different directions converges. They are often regulated by traffic signals or signs to manage the flow of vehicles, pedestrians, and other modes of transportation. For example: We should meet at the intersection - (交差点で会いましょう). The traffic light at the intersection is not working - (交差点の信号が壊れている)

差: "Difference". The noun '差 (さ)' means 'difference'. It refers to the amount by which things vary or the state of being unlike. It can be used to describe the gap, discrepancy, or contrast between two things. For example: The difference in price is 500 yen - (価格の差は500円です). There is a big difference between the two proposals - (この2つの提案には大きな差があります).

時差: "Time difference". The noun '時差 (じさ)' means 'time difference'. It refers to the discrepancy in time between two different locations, often due to different time zones. This concept is important when planning travel or communicating across different regions. For example: There is a 12 hour time difference between Tokyo and London - (東京とロンドンの時差は12時間です). The time difference made it difficult to schedule a meeting - (時差のため会議の日程調整が難しかった).

差し上げる: "Give". The Japanese verb '差し上げる (さしあげる)' means 'to give'. This polite verb is used when giving something to a person of higher social status or someone you wish to show respect to. It conveys a sense of formal or courteous offering. For example: I'll give you this gift - (この贈り物を差し上げます). Please accept this - (これを差し上げます).

差別: "Discrimination". The Japanese verbal noun '差別 (さべつ)' means 'discrimination'. This term refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, gender, or social status. It can involve denying individuals or groups access to rights, opportunities, or resources. For example: Racial discrimination is wrong - (人種差別は間違っている). We must eliminate all forms of discrimination - (私たちはあらゆる形態の差別を排除しなければならない).

差し出す: "Offer". The Japanese verb '差し出す (さしだす)' means 'to offer'. This verb is used to indicate the action of presenting or extending something to someone. It can be used in situations where you are offering an object, a document, or even an idea. For example: He offered me a cup of tea - (彼は私にお茶を差し出した). She offered her hand in greeting - (彼女は挨拶として手を差し出した).

差す: "Hold" or "Raise". The Japanese verb '差す (さす)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'to hold' or 'to extend'. This is used when holding something out, like holding out your hand to give someone something. For example: He held out his hand to me - (彼は私に手を差しだした). The second meaning is 'to raise' or 'to lift up'. This is used when raising something up, like raising your hand. For example: She raised her hand to ask a question - (彼女は質問をするために手を上げた).

指差す: "Point". The Japanese verb '指差す (ゆびさす)' means 'to point'. This verb is used to indicate something by extending one's finger toward it. It can be used to draw attention to an object, location, or direction. For example: I pointed at the bird - (私は鳥に指差した). Can you point to the exit? - (出口に指差せますか?)

交差: "Intersection". The noun '交差 (こうさ)' means 'intersection'. It refers to the place where two or more roads, paths, or items cross each other. This word is commonly used to describe the location where streets meet, or where different lines or elements intersect. For example: The accident happened at the intersection - (事故は交差点で起きた). I need to go through the intersection to get to the store - (店に行くには交差点を通らなければならない).

日差し: "Sunlight". The Japanese noun '日差し (ひざし)' refers to the light or warmth of the sun. It is used to describe the direct rays of the sun, especially on a sunny day. For example: The warm sunlight shining through the window - (窓から差し込む暖かい日差し). The bright sunlight outside - (外の眩しい日差し).

物差し: "Ruler". 物差し (ものさし)' is a Japanese noun that means 'ruler'. A ruler is a straight measuring tool, typically made of wood, plastic or metal, used to measure the length or height of an object. It is a common tool found in homes, schools and offices. Example sentences: I need to use a ruler to measure the length of this table - (このテーブルの長さを測るために物差しが必要です). The ruler shows the object is 15 centimeters long - (物差しでは、その物体は15センチメートルの長さがあることが分かります).

人差し指: "Index finger". The Japanese noun '人差し指 (ひとさしゆび)' refers to the index finger, which is the second finger from the thumb. It is the finger most commonly used for pointing at things or directing attention. Example sentences: Point with your index finger - (人差し指で指さす). My index finger is longer than my middle finger - (私の人差し指は中指より長い).

差異: "Difference". The noun '差異 (さい)' means 'difference'. This word refers to the state of being different or dissimilar, or the extent to which things differ. It can be used to describe distinctions or contrasts between two or more things. For example: There is a clear difference between the two options - (その2つのオプションには明らかな差異がある). The differences in opinions must be reconciled - (意見の差異は解消されねばならない).

眼差し: "Gaze". The noun '眼差し (まなざし)' refers to a person's gaze or the way they look at something. It suggests an intense, penetrating or scrutinizing look. For example: Her gaze was fixed on him - (彼女の眼差しは彼に注がれていた). The teacher's stern gaze made the student uneasy - (先生の厳しい眼差しに生徒は気まずくなった).

格差: "Gap" or "Disparity". The Japanese noun '格差 (かくさ)' refers to a significant difference or discrepancy between two things. It is commonly used to describe the gap or disparity in income, wealth, opportunities, or social standing between different groups or individuals in a society. For example: The income gap between the rich and poor is widening - (富裕層と貧困層の収入格差が広がっている). There is a large disparity in educational opportunities between urban and rural areas - (都市部と地方の教育格差は大きい).

差し込む: "Insert". The Japanese verb '差し込む (さしこむ)' means 'to insert'. It is used to describe the action of putting something, such as a plug or wire, into an opening or slot. The verb implies a smooth, deliberate motion of inserting an object. For example: Insert the key into the lock - (鍵を差し込む). She inserted the USB drive into the computer - (彼女はUSBドライブをコンピューターに差し込んだ).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "さ" is read as "sa"

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.