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落差 (luò chā) — drop in elevation (topography); (figuratively) gap, disparity (in wages, expectations, status, etc.)

Definition

Used for a literal drop in elevation or, more commonly, a figurative gap between expectations and reality (收入落差, 心理落差). Pairs with 差距 (a measurable, often statistical gap) but emphasizes the felt落差 from what was anticipated.

noun
drop in elevation (topography)(figuratively) gapdisparity (in wages, expectations, status, etc.)

Examples

  • 落差，。
    Zhè duàn hé liú de luò chā fēi cháng dà, xíng chéng le pù bù.
    The drop in elevation of this section of the river is very large, forming a waterfall.
  • 落差。
    Lǐ xiǎng yǔ xiàn shí de luò chā cháng cháng ràng rén gǎn dào shī luò.
    The gap between ideals and reality often makes people feel disappointed.
  • 落差。
    Zhèng fǔ zhèng zài nǔ lì suō xiǎo chéng xiāng shōu rù luò chā.
    The government is working hard to narrow the income gap between urban and rural areas.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

落luòfall
差chàdifference

fall and difference combine to mean a drop or disparity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎo
Sound part声符shēngfú
洛
洛luò落luò
Same sound today

落 pairs 艹 with 洛; 洛 gives the sound, and 艹 relates to the meaning.

Open 落 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 來來láiwheat
  • 𠂇𠂇𠂇left hand

差 pairs 來 (wheat) with 𠂇 (left hand), showing wheat rubbed in a hand to remove its hull.

Open 差 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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