差 Stroke Order — How to Write 差

Stroke Order

差 is written in 10 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 工, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

差 Radical and Character Components

Components:羊工

差 is an ideographic compound. Work 工 done by a sheep 羊; incompetence.

Radical: 工 + 7 more strokes

差 Pronunciation and Pinyin

chà
chā
chāi
cī

Meanings of 差 in Chinese

chà差

Used to describe an error or a mistake, especially in speaking, remembering, or calculating, indicating something is wrong or off.

我可能把时间记差了。

I might have remembered the time wrong.

To be almost, nearly, or not quite up to standard; to differ slightly (often in the context of '差不多' meaning 'almost' or 'nearly the same').

这两个苹果差不多大。

These two apples are almost the same size.

To be short of; to lack a specific amount or quantity needed to achieve something.

我买这本书还差五块钱。

I'm still five yuan short for buying this book.

Inferior; not up to standard; poor (quality, performance, etc.).

这批货质量很差。

The quality of this batch of goods is very poor.

chā差

Difference; discrepancy; gap (when referring to things not being the same, or the amount by which they differ).

这两款手机的性能没有太大的差别。

There isn't much difference in the performance of these two phones.

Acceptable; passable; just about satisfactory.

他的回答差可接受，没有大的问题。

His answer is acceptable, without major issues.

When pronounced as chā, it means error, mistake, or discrepancy, often referring to a deviation from what is correct or expected.

结果和预期有一些偏差

The results had some deviation from expectations.

In mathematics, the result of a subtraction operation; a difference.

十减去五的差是五

The difference between ten and five is five.

chāi差

to dispatch; to send on an errand or mission

他被公司差去上海出差。

He was dispatched by the company to Shanghai for a business trip.

An old term referring to a person who is dispatched or sent on a mission, such as a messenger or an official runner.

这个差人走了三天三夜才把信送到

This messenger traveled three days and three nights to deliver the letter.

An assigned task, official errand, or business trip.

他明天要出差去上海。

He needs to go on a business trip to Shanghai tomorrow.

cī差

Used in the compound 'cēncī' (参差) to describe something uneven, irregular, or jagged in length, quality, or standard.

这排树木高矮参差不齐，看起来很有野趣。

The trees in this row are of varying heights, which gives them a wild and rustic charm.

Common Words and Phrases with 差

chā差bié别

Difference or disparity.

这两种烹饪方法在口感上存在细微的差别。

These two cooking methods have subtle differences in taste.

chāi差bō拨

To dispatch or send someone to perform a task; also refers to an official messenger or runner (especially in ancient China).

县衙的差拨奉命将公文送到邻村。

The county yamen's messenger was ordered to deliver the official document to the neighboring village.

chà差bù不duō多

Almost; nearly; not bad; good enough.

这项任务我们差不多完成了。

We have almost completed this task.

chā差chí池

A mistake, oversight, or an unexpected accident/mishap.

这次重要的项目，我们务必仔细检查，确保万无一失，不能出现任何差池。

For this crucial project, we must meticulously check everything to ensure nothing goes wrong and no mishaps occur.

chā差cuò错

error, mistake, or mishap

由于操作上的一个小差错，导致设备停止运行。

Due to a small operational error, the equipment stopped functioning.

chā差é讹

Mistake; error.

这份计算中有一些差讹，需要重新核对

There are some errors in this calculation that need to be rechecked.

chā差é额

difference; balance; margin

请您补齐购物款和实际支付金额之间的差额

Please make up the difference between the purchase amount and the actual payment.

chāi差fū夫

A laborer or worker, especially one who performs manual labor or service.

旧时，村中常会指定差夫负责修缮公共设施，如桥梁和道路。

In old times, the village would often designate assigned laborers to be responsible for repairing public facilities, such as bridges and roads.

cī差hù互

Intersect or crisscross.

山间小径蜿蜒曲折，树木的枝桠高低差互，形成了一道独特的风景线。

The winding mountain path and the intertwining branches of the trees, varying in height, create a unique scenic view.

chā差jià价

Price difference; the disparity between two prices for the same item or service, often due to varying factors like time, location, or transaction type.