段違(だんちが)い

だんちがい
noun, no-adjective
a world apart; incomparably different; on a different level
1. a world apart; incomparably different; on a different level
so different in quality or degree that comparison is hardly possible; leagues apart
味(あじ)が段違(だんちが)いだ。
The flavor is on a completely different level.
プロとアマでは段違(だんちが)いの差(さ)がある。
There's a world of difference between pros and amateurs.
新(あたら)しいモデルは性能(せいのう)が段違(だんちが)いに良(よ)い。
The new model is incomparably better in performance.
去年(きょねん)と今年(ことし)では、チームの実力(じつりょく)が段違(だんちが)いだ。
The team's ability is on a completely different level compared to last year.

Literally means being on different steps or levels (段(だん) = step/level, 違(ちが)い = difference). Describes a gap in quality or ability that is not just noticeable but dramatic.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 段違(だんちが)いの差(さ): an overwhelming difference
  • 段違(だんちが)いに良(よ)い: incomparably better
  • 段違(だんちが)いの実力(じつりょく): ability on a different level
  • 段違(だんちが)いに速(はや)い: incomparably faster

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 桁違(けたちが)い: on a different order of magnitude; emphasizes numerical scale, while 段違(だんちが)い emphasizes quality or skill
  • 格段(かくだん)に: remarkably, significantly; more formal and used adverbially
  • 雲泥(うんでい)の差(さ): a world of difference (literally "the difference between clouds and mud"); more literary

NOTE:
Also used in gymnastics: 段違(だんちが)い平行棒(へいこうぼう) means uneven parallel bars.

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Added 2026.4.24 21:20
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