1.
difference; differential; increment
The difference between two values, versions, or states. Commonly used in technical, mathematical, and computing contexts.
差分を確認する。
I check the differences.
前回との差分だけをアップデートする。
We update only the differences from the previous version.
ファイルの差分を比較して、どこが変わったか確認してください。
Please compare the file differences and check what has changed.
差分 literally means "difference portion" (差 + 分). While 差 and 違い are general words for "difference," 差分 specifically refers to the measurable or identifiable gap between two comparable things, and is especially common in technical fields.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 差分バックアップ: differential backup
- 差分更新: incremental update
- 差分を取る: extract the difference
- 差分比較: diff comparison
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 差: difference — more general, used for any kind of gap or disparity
- 違い: difference — emphasizes qualitative distinction rather than quantitative measurement
- 相違: discrepancy — formal term for difference, often used in legal or business writing
DOMAIN:
Very common in software development (file diffs, version control), data processing, and mathematics (差分方程式 — difference equation).