差

chā, chà, chāi, cī

工 + 羊

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 3

Definitions

chā (noun) difference; discrepancy; error

chà (verb,adjective) to differ from; to fall short of; inferior

chāi (verb) to send; to dispatch

Etymology

Depicts grain (來) being rolled between the fingers in the left hand (左). Based on the original meaning "rub between fingers", now written as 搓. The meaning later shifted to "uneven" and "error".

About

差 (chā, chà, chāi, cī) originally combined 來 (grain) and 左 (left hand), depicting grain being rubbed between the fingers, a sense now written as 搓. This rubbing action inherently involves unevenness, and the character's meaning later shifted to "uneven" and "error". In its modern form, it appears to merge a modified sheep radical (⺷) with 工. Depending on pronunciation, it can mean difference, discrepancy, or error (chā); something lacking or of poor quality (chà); an official errand or dispatching (chāi); and an uneven or jagged arrangement (cī).

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我差不多准备好了。

Wǒ chàbuduō zhǔnbèi hǎo le.

I am almost ready.

他差一点摔倒了。

Tā chà yīdiǎn shuāidǎo le.

He almost fell down.

这个电影真差劲。

Zhège diànyǐng zhēn chàjìn.

This movie is really poor.

爸爸下周要出差。

Bàba xià zhōu yào chūchāi.

Dad will go on a business trip next week.

这两本书差别很大。

Zhè liǎng běn shū chābié hěn dà.

These two books are very different.

我们的成绩有差距。

Wǒmen de chéngjī yǒu chājù.

There is a gap in our grades.

他给我一份好差事。

Tā gěi wǒ yī fèn hǎo chāishi.

He gave me a good job.

两者之间的差异很明显。

Liǎng zhě zhī jiān de chāyì hěn míngxiǎn.

The difference between the two is very obvious.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 工

Component: 羊

Example Words