異(こと)なる

異(こと)なる means to differ or vary—a formal/written alternative to 違(ちが)う.

Transitivity

• Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)
• No standard transitive pair
• Pattern: 異(こと)なる

Register

• 違(ちが)う: to be different (everyday speech)
• 異(こと)なる: to differ (formal, written, academic)

Common patterns

• AはBと異(こと)なる: A differs from B
• ～によって異(こと)なる: varies depending on ~
• ～とは異(こと)なり: unlike ~, differing from ~

Related words

• 異文化(いぶんか): different culture
• 異常(いじょう): abnormal
• 異議(いぎ): objection
• 相違(そうい): difference (formal noun)

Usage

Often used in academic writing, news, and formal contexts where 違(ちが)う would sound too casual.

ASPECT (ている):

• 異(こと)なっている: is different / differs (stative)
• Note: 異(こと)なる is a stative verb describing an inherent difference, so the ている form (when used) simply emphasizes the current state of being different. More commonly, the plain form is used in noun-modifying position: 異(こと)なる意見(いけん) ("differing opinions") rather than 異(こと)なっている意見(いけん).