違い
chigai[t͡ɕiɡa̠i]
The English word "difference" is translated into Japanese as 違い (chigai).
違い is used to describe a distinction between two things. It can also be used to express that something is incorrect or a mistake.
Meaning: characteristic of something that makes it different from something else (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
違い is the noun form of the verb 違う, which means to differ or to be wrong. It is created by changing the verb stem into a noun.
Which one should you use?
While 違い is used for general distinctions, the term 相違 is a formal version used primarily in professional contexts or formal writing. In technical or academic fields, the specialized term 差異 is often used instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
違い is an informal way to express a difference and is common in casual conversation. For more professional or academic writing, use 相違 or 差異.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, nouns do not change to indicate plurality. Therefore, 違い can mean both "difference" and "differences".
How do you pronounce it?
chigai
Did you know?
- The verb 違う is often used as a polite way to say 'no' by simply saying 違います, which literally means 'it is a difference'.
- Japanese uses the verb 違う to express the concept of 'different', which can make an English speaker feel like the language describes a process of differing rather than a state of being.
- In a social or political context, saying there is 違いがない can be used to express that there is a lack of inequality or disparity. In this sense, having 'no difference' implies fairness or equality.
Examples in context
- 違いは何なの？What's the difference?This sentence is useful for asking what the distinction is using 違い.Tatoeba #8580426 by bunbuku, translation #38325 by CK
- 違いがあるの？Is there a difference?This sentence is useful for asking if a distinction exists using 違い.Tatoeba #11853650 by bunbuku, translation #243580 by CK
- 一番の違いは何ですか？What's the biggest difference?This sentence is useful for asking for the single greatest distinction using 違い.Tatoeba #4494361 by tommy_san, translation #4493946 by CK
- この二つの写真の違いは何ですか？What is the difference between these two photos?
- 弊社と競合他社の商品には相違点がありますThere are differences between our company's products and those of competing companies.
- この研究の結果には意味のある差異が見られますSignificant differences can be observed in the results of this study.
- これとあれの違いがわからないI can't tell the difference between this and that.
- 彼らの考え方は私たちと違うTheir way of thinking is different from ours.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are comparing two different types of coffee.
- 美咲 Misakiこの二つのコーヒー、違いは何？Kono futatsu no koohii, chigai wa nani?What is the difference between these two coffees?
- 蓮 Ren味の深さが全然違うよ。Aji no fukasa ga zenzen chigau yo.The depth of flavor is completely different.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、全然違うね。Hontou da, zenzen chigau ne.You're right, they are totally different.
- 蓮 Ren焙煎の仕方が違うからだよ。Baisen no shikata ga chigau kara da yo.It's because the roasting method is different.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “difference” translations and entries 違い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
