次元(じげん)

じげん
noun
dimension
1. dimension (mathematical/physical)
A measurable extent in physics and mathematics, such as length, width, height, or time. Used in scientific and technical contexts.
三次元(さんじげん)の空間(くうかん)で考(かんが)える。
To think in three-dimensional space.
時間(じかん)は四(よん)つ目(め)の次元(じげん)だと言(い)われる。
Time is said to be the fourth dimension.
二次元(にじげん)のキャラクターを三次元(さんじげん)で再現(さいげん)するのは難(むずか)しい。
It is difficult to recreate two-dimensional characters in three dimensions.
2. level, plane (figurative)
A level or plane of thinking, discussion, or existence. Used figuratively to indicate that something is on a completely different level from something else.
次元(じげん)が違(ちが)う話(はなし)だ。
That's a discussion on a completely different level.
その問題(もんだい)は次元(じげん)の低(ひく)い議論(ぎろん)だ。
That issue is a low-level argument.
彼(かれ)の演奏(えんそう)は他(ほか)の奏者(そうしゃ)とは次元(じげん)が違(ちが)うと評価(ひょうか)されている。
His performance is rated as being on a completely different level from other players.

ETYMOLOGY:
次(じ) (order, sequence) + 元(げん) (origin, element). In mathematical usage, refers to independent directions of measurement.

USAGE:
The expression 次元(じげん)が違(ちが)う is extremely common in everyday Japanese, meaning "on a completely different level" or "in a league of its own." In otaku culture, 二次元(にじげん) (2D) refers to anime/manga characters, while 三次元(さんじげん) (3D) refers to real people.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 二次元(にじげん): two-dimensional, 2D
  • 三次元(さんじげん): three-dimensional, 3D
  • 四次元(よじげん): four-dimensional
  • 次元(じげん)が違(ちが)う: to be on a different level
  • 異次元(いじげん): another dimension (also used figuratively for "unprecedented")
  • 高次元(こうじげん): higher-dimensional
general
Added 2026.2.23 21:20
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