Readings: サ (Onyomi), さ, さす, さし (Kunyomi)
Meaning: difference, distinction, variation, discrepancy, margin, gap
The kanji 差 (sa) originally depicted a hand (又) pushing or inserting something into the ground (工, a tool or ground). This led to the meaning of ‘to insert’ or ‘to stick in’. Over time, this evolved to imply a ‘deviation’ or ‘missing the mark’, hence leading to its current primary meaning of ‘difference’ or ‘discrepancy’. Its components suggest actions of reaching out or being out of alignment.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 差 begins with the top ‘sheep’ radical (羊), starting with the vertical stroke, then the horizontal, and so on. Followed by the bottom left component (工), and finally the right component (又).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 羊 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- サ (sa)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さす (sasu)
- さし (sashi)
Common Words Using 差
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 差 | さ | difference, discrepancy |
| 差別 | さべつ | discrimination, distinction |
| 格差 | かくさ | gap, disparity (e.g., social, economic) |
| 時差 | じさ | time difference, jet lag |
| 誤差 | ごさ | error, margin of error |
| 偏差 | へんさ | deviation, variance |
| 交差点 | こうさてん | intersection, crossing |
| 温度差 | おんどさ | temperature difference |
| 高低差 | こうていさ | difference in elevation, height difference |
| 賃金格差 | ちんぎんかくさ | wage gap |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 差し引く | さしひく | to deduct, to subtract |
| 差し出す | さしだす | to present, to submit, to hold out |
| 差し入れ | さしいれ | insertion, a treat/refreshment brought in |
| 差し支え | さしつかえ | hindrance, impediment, inconvenience |
| 差し込む | さしこむ | to insert, to plug in, to shine into |
| 差し迫る | さしせまる | to be imminent, to be urgent |
| 差し戻す | さしもどす | to send back, to remit |
| 差し控える | さしひかえる | to refrain from, to hold back |
| 差し金 | さしがね | carpenter’s square; secret influence |
| 差し向かい | さしむかい | face to face, tête-à-tête |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この二つの製品には大きな差があります。
Kana: このふたつのせいひんにはおおきなさがあります。
Romaji: Kono futatsu no seihin ni wa ookina sa ga arimasu.
English: There is a big difference between these two products.
Japanese: 時差ボケで眠れません。
Kana: じさボケでねむれません。
Romaji: Jisa boke de nemuremasen.
English: I can’t sleep due to jet lag.
Japanese: 所得格差が社会問題になっています。
Kana: しょとくかくさがしゃかいもんだいになっています。
Romaji: Shotoku kakusa ga shakai mondai ni natte imasu.
English: Income disparity has become a social problem.
Japanese: 交差点を右に曲がってください。
Kana: こうさてんをみぎにまがってください。
Romaji: Kōsaten o migi ni magatte kudasai.
English: Please turn right at the intersection.
Japanese: 計算に誤差が生じた。
Kana: けいさんにこさがしょうじた。
Romaji: Keisan ni gosa ga shōjita.
English: An error occurred in the calculation.
Japanese: 彼女と私では経験に差がある。
Kana: かのじょとわたしではけいけんにさがある。
Romaji: Kanojo to watashi de wa keiken ni sa ga aru.
English: There is a difference in experience between her and me.
Japanese: 男女差別は許されない。
Kana: だんじょさべつはゆるされない。
Romaji: Danjo sabetsu wa yurusarenai.
English: Gender discrimination is not allowed.
Japanese: 気温の差が激しいので、体調に気を付けてください。
Kana: きおんのさがはげしいので、たいちょうにきをつけてください。
Romaji: Kion no sa ga hageshii node, taichō ni ki o tsukete kudasai.
English: The temperature difference is severe, so please take care of your health.
Japanese: 彼らの意見にはわずかな差しかない。
Kana: かれらのいけんにはわずかなさしかない。
Romaji: Karera no iken ni wa wazukana sa shika nai.
English: There is only a slight difference in their opinions.
Japanese: 仕事に差し支えがあるといけないので、早めに帰ります。
Kana: しごとにさしつかえがあるといけないので、はやめにかえります。
Romaji: Shigoto ni sashitsukae ga aru to ikenai node, hayame ni kaerimasu.
English: I’ll go home early so it doesn’t cause any hindrance to work.
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