差
KanjiJLPT N3
Distinction
distinction, difference, variation, discrepancy, margin, balance
Mnemonic
A goat perched on a rooftop spots a comet streaking past. Below, a carpenter is sawing wood. The goat bleats—it sees the distinction between the cosmic fire above and the humble craft below. Two worlds, one goat caught between.
Additional thoughts
Picture the goat as the pivot point on the roof: looking up at the comet, looking down at the carpenter. The vast gap between sky and ground IS the distinction. The goat literally stands between two extremes, highlighting the disparity.Quick recall
A goat on a roof sees a comet above and a carpenter below—the distinction between heaven and earth.Details
The keyword for 差 is distinction. This kanji conveys the idea of a difference, gap, or disparity between two or more things. It is used when pointing out how things vary or diverge from one another, whether in quality, degree, or nature. It can also carry the sense of making a distinction by comparing and discerning the differences that set things apart.
- On'yomi
- さ
- Kun'yomi
- さ.す、さ.し