Translation and Meaning of: 格差 - kakusa

The Japanese word 格差[かくさ] is a term that frequently appears in discussions about society, economy, and even in daily life. If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and usage can be very helpful. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is written, and in which contexts the Japanese use it.

In addition, we will see how 格差 relates to social issues in Japan and how it can appear in conversations or news. If you want to learn how to use this word naturally or memorize it more easily, keep reading to discover practical tips and real examples.

The meaning and origin of 格差

The word 格差[かくさ] means "disparity," "difference," or "inequality." It is composed of the kanjis 格 (kaku), which can mean "status" or "standard," and 差 (sa), which represents "difference." Together, these characters form a term that describes inequalities in various aspects, such as income, education, and opportunities.

According to the Japanese dictionary 大辞林, 格差 is used to express hierarchical differences or imbalances between groups or individuals. Its origin dates back to the post-war period in Japan when the country underwent rapid economic and social transformations, increasing the discussion about disparities.

How 格差 is used in everyday Japanese life

In Japan, 格差 is often associated with debates on social inequality. Expressions such as 所得格差 (shotoku kakusa – income disparity) and 教育格差 (kyouiku kakusa – educational inequality) are common in newspapers and political discussions. The term also appears in reports about salary differences between men and women or between generations.

In addition to the socioeconomic context, 格差 can be used in more everyday situations. For example, someone might say "この会社には待遇の格差がある" (kono kaisha ni wa taiguu no kakusa ga aru – "There is a disparity in benefits at this company"). The use of the term reflects a growing concern for justice and balance in Japanese society.

Tips for memorizing and using 格差 correctly

An effective way to memorize 格差 is to associate the kanjis that compose it. The character 格 appears in words such as 資格 (shikaku – "qualification") and 性格 (seikaku – "personality"), while 差 is found in like 差別 (sabetsu – "discrimination"). This connection helps to cement the meaning of "difference" or "inequality."

To practice using 格差, try incorporating it into simple sentences, such as "The disparity between cities and rural areas is a problem." Listening to news or reading articles in Japanese about social issues can also help recognize the term in real contexts.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 差異 (Sai) - Difference or variation between elements.
• 不均 (Fukin) - Inequality or lack of uniformity.
• アンバランス (Anbaransu) - Imbalance or lack of balance.
• 不平等 (Fubyoudou) - Social or economic inequality.
• 不等 (Futou) - Difference that indicates numerical or categorical inequality.
• 差別 (Sabetsu) - Unfair differentiation based on social characteristics.
• 逆転 (Gyakuten) - Reversal of a situation, change in opposite positions.
• 乖離 (Kairi) - Deviation or separation between two or more points.
• 不公平 (Fukouhei) - Injustice or lack of equity.
• 不平 (Fuhei) - Dissatisfaction or displeasure regarding something, often related to inequality.
• 差距 (Kakkyu) - Space or measurable difference between two entities.
• 不均等 (Fukintou) - State of inequality or lack of proportion between elements.
• 差異化 (Saihatsu) - Process of differentiating products or concepts.
• 差分 (Sabun) - Difference between two quantities or states.
• 差異点 (Sai-ten) - Point of divergence between aspects or elements.
• 差異性 (Saisyosei) - Quality of being different or diverse.
• 差異度 (Sai do) - Degree of difference between elements or entities.
• 差異性格 (Sai seikaku) - Difference in personal characteristics or personality traits.
• 差異性能 (Sai seinei) - Ability to present functional differences or variations.
• 差異点数 (Sai tensuu) - Number of points of difference between two or more options.
• 差異化戦略 (Saihatsu senryaku) - Differentiation strategy in a competitive market.
• 差異化商品 (Saihatsu shouhin) - Product developed with distinct features to stand out in the market.
• 差異化戦術 (Saihatsu senjutsu) - Tactics used to differentiate a product or service.
• 差異化マーケティング (Saihatsu meeketingu) - Marketing approaches focused on highlighting unique differences.
• 差異化競争戦略 (Saihatsu kyousou senryaku) - Competitive strategy that emphasizes product differentiation.
• 差異化戦略の例 (Saihatsu senryaku no rei) - Examples of differentiation strategy applications.
• 差異化戦略の種類 (Saihatsu senryaku no shurui) - Types of differentiation strategies available.
• 差異化戦略の意味 (Saihatsu senryaku no imi) - Meaning and importance of differentiation in the market.