異
異·different, unusual, strange
- On-yomi
- イ
- Kun-yomi
- こと(なる)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 異常 | いじょう | abnormality, something wrong |
| 異なる | ことなる | to differ, to be different |
| 異議 | いぎ | objection |
| 異文化 | いぶんか | a different culture |
Example sentences
二人の意見は大きく異なる。
ふたりのいけんはおおきくことなる。
The two of them hold very different opinions.
機械に異常が見つかった。
きかいにいじょうがみつかった。
Something wrong was found in the machine.
その提案に異議はありません。
そのていあんにいぎはありません。
I have no objection to that proposal.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Mixing 異議 (いぎ, objection) with 意義 (いぎ, significance)
- Using 異なる in casual speech — 違う is the everyday word; 異なる is written and formal
Memory aid
Picture it
A figure with raised arms under a mask-like head — someone who stands out from the crowd as visibly other.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 異動いどうpersonnel change, transfer (within a company)
- 突然変異とつぜんへんいmutation
- 異口同音いくどうおんunanimously, with one voice
- 大同小異だいどうしょういmuch the same, minor differences
- 異議いぎobjection; dissent; protest
- 異性いせいthe opposite sex
- 驚異きょういwonder; marvel; miracle; something astonishing
- 異見いけんa differing opinion; dissent; objection
- 差異さいdifference; disparity
- 異論いろんa differing opinion; objection; dissenting view
- 異常いじょうabnormal
- 異なることなるto differ, to vary, to be different
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 異 mean?