差
KANJI DETAIL
difference
On readingさ10 strokesN2
Radical 工 · workStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 差.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- さ
- Kun reading
- None
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
差conveys a difference or gap; its on-reading isさ. - Basic usage:
差(さ)means a difference or gap, while差別(さべつ)means discrimination.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Comparing differences and discriminating against people
重さの差means a difference in weight, while練習量の差means a gap in the amount of practice.差identifies a difference between things being compared.差別is used for discrimination based on someone's background or in the workplace. It concerns how people are treated, unlike差used for a simple numerical difference.

