Japanese word

大差

Pronunciation

Romajitaisa

Meaning

  • nounbig difference

Example

二つの案には大差がありません。futa tsu no an ni wa tai sa ga a ri ma se n

There is not much difference between the two plans.

Illustration for 大差 (big difference)

More examples

経験の有無で、仕事の速さに大差が出ます。kei ken no u mu de shi goto no haya sa ni tai sa ga de ma su

Whether someone has experience makes a big difference in how quickly they work.

Core concept

Describes a gap between things that is large enough to stand out clearly in comparison.

Common phrases

  • 大差はないtai sa wa na i

    there is little difference

  • 大差があるtai sa ga a ru

    there is a big difference

  • 大差をつけるtai sa o tsu ke ru

    win by a wide margin

Similar words

大違いōchigai: A very large difference makes two things clearly unlike.
段違いdanchigai: A difference in level, quality, or ability puts one thing clearly above another.
雲泥の差undeinosa: A difference between two things is extremely large, with their levels far apart.
差異sai: A difference between things becomes clear when their features or qualities are compared.

Definition in Japanese

二つ以上の物事を比べたとき、隔たりが非常に大きいこと。futa tsu i jō no mono goto o kura be ta to ki heda ta ri ga hi jō ni ō ki i ko to

Word origin

大差 (taisa) combines 大 (tai, "great") and 差 (sa, "difference"), so its form directly expresses a great difference.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 大差ない (taisa nai) is common when the difference between options is too small to matter.

Other meanings

  • wide marginnoun

Opposites

  • 僅差kinsanarrow marginnoun

Word lists with this word