1. a way in which two or more things are not the same
差異，不同之處
There is a big difference in price between the two models.
這兩款型號在價格上有很大的差異。
Can you tell the difference between these two pictures?
你能分辨出這兩張圖片的不同之處嗎？
Difference Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
difference
noun
快速理解
What does "Difference" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Difference"?
「difference」主要指事物之間的差異或區別，也可指意見分歧或數學上的差額。
- 1
差異、不同
EN: a way in which two or more things are not the same
翻譯: 指兩個或多個事物之間不相同的地方。
- 2
分歧、爭執
EN: a disagreement or argument about something important
翻譯: 指在重要事情上的意見分歧或爭執。
- 3
差額、餘額
EN: the amount by which one quantity is greater or less than another
翻譯: 指一個數量比另一個數量多出或減少的數額，常用於數學或財務。
- 4
特色、區別性
EN: a distinguishing characteristic that makes someone or something unique
翻譯: 指使某人或某物顯得獨特、與眾不同的特質。
小提醒：注意「difference」在「make a difference」（產生影響、有作用）這個常見片語中，意思並非字面上的「製造差異」，而是指「帶來改變或影響」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Difference" in English）
How to pronounce "Difference" in English?"Difference" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Difference" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“The difference in an operation between doing something successfully and not, may be moving your hand this much.”
(1 out of 179)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Difference"?How does "Difference" change by context?
2. the result of subtracting one number from another
差，差額
The difference between 10 and 6 is 4.
10 和 6 的差是 4。
We need to calculate the difference in our expenses.
我們需要計算我們開支的差額。
3. a disagreement or quarrel
分歧，爭執
They had a difference of opinion about the project.
他們對這個專案有不同意見。
We need to settle our differences and work together.
我們需要解決我們的分歧，一起合作。
4. a significant change or effect
顯著變化，影響
Your donation can make a real difference to their lives.
你的捐款能對他們的生活帶來真正的改變。
A good teacher can make all the difference in a student's success.
一位好老師對學生的成功有決定性的影響。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Difference"?How to make natural sentences with "Difference"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the difference between A and B | A 與 B 之間的差異 | The main difference between the two models is the price. (這兩款型號的主要差異在於價格。) |
| a difference in + noun | 在…方面的差異 | There is a noticeable difference in quality. (在品質上有明顯的差異。) |
| make a/no/some difference | 有/沒有/有些影響或作用 | Your support makes a big difference. (你的支持有很大的作用。) |
| tell the difference | 分辨出差別 | Can you tell the difference between the original and the copy? (你能分辨出原作和複製品之間的差別嗎？) |
| settle your differences | 解決分歧 | They finally sat down to settle their differences. (他們終於坐下來解決彼此的分歧。) |
| with a difference | 與眾不同的，有特色的 | This is a summer camp with a difference—it focuses on robotics. (這是一個與眾不同的夏令營——它專注於機器人技術。) |
用法說明
How is "Difference" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Difference"?
difference in vs difference between
- difference in 通常用於描述單一事物內部的變化、品質或狀態上的差異，或比較同一類別事物的不同。
- difference between 專門用於指出兩個或更多個明確、獨立的事物或群體之間的具體差別。
- 當比較的對象是複數且被視為分開的個體時，使用 between；當強調某個領域、方面或整體性質上的不同時，使用 in。 EN: There is a noticeable difference in quality between these two brands. 翻譯: 這兩個品牌在品質上有明顯的差異。
EN:Can you explain the difference between a metaphor and a simile?
翻譯:你能解釋一下隱喻和明喻之間的區別嗎？
總結建議
一般來說，比較兩個特定項目時用 difference between，描述某個範疇內的差異時用 difference in。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Difference" and similar words?How to choose "Difference" vs alternatives?
difference vs distinction
「difference」泛指任何差異，範圍較廣；「distinction」則強調需要仔細辨識的重要或細微差異，通常帶有比較或對比的意涵。
difference vs discrepancy
「difference」為中性描述差異；「discrepancy」則指不一致、矛盾或不符合預期的差異，通常帶有負面或需要解釋的意味。
difference vs variation
「difference」強調兩個或多個事物間的「不同點」；「variation」則強調同一主題或類型內的「變化、變動或變體」。
口語用法
How is "Difference" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Difference"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或重述他人提出的不同點，以示確認或強調。 EN: So the main difference you're pointing out is the delivery time? 翻譯: 所以你指出的主要差別是交貨時間嗎？
EN:Let me see if I get this right — the difference is in the software, not the hardware.
翻譯:讓我確認一下我是否理解正確——差別在於軟體，不是硬體。
語氣強調
在對話中，常用來強調對比或凸顯關鍵的區別，常與「big」、「key」、「main」等詞連用。 EN: That's the big difference between their plan and ours. 翻譯: 那就是他們的計畫和我們的主要差別。
EN:Wait, there's one key difference you're missing.
翻譯:等等，有一個關鍵的差別你沒注意到。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，用作短暫的停頓填充詞，引出即將說明的對比點。 EN: The, uh, difference... is that we have more data now. 翻譯: 那個，呃，差別…在於我們現在有更多數據。
EN:It's hard to explain... the difference is more about the feeling.
翻譯:這很難解釋…差別更多是在於感覺。
正式書寫注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用上述口語中的停頓填充（如「uh」、「I mean」引出的句子），並使用更精確的詞彙（如「distinction」、「disparity」、「divergence」）來替代重複出現的「difference」，以使論述更嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Difference"?What fixed phrases with "Difference" should I remember?
make a difference
make a (big/significant/huge) difference
產生影響；帶來改變；有作用
tell the difference
tell the difference (between A and B)
分辨（出區別）；區分
split the difference
split the difference
折衷；取中間值（尤指在價格爭議中）
with a difference
Noun with a difference
與眾不同的；有特色的
spot the difference
spot the difference
找出不同之處（常用於遊戲或比較中）
significant difference
(a) significant/substantial/marked difference
顯著的差異
night and day difference
a night and day difference
天壤之別；截然不同
pay the difference
pay the difference (in price)
支付差額
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Difference"?Which "Difference" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×There is a big difference from the two versions.
✓There is a big difference between the two versions.
使用 'difference' 時，比較兩者之間的不同，介系詞通常用 'between'，而不是 'from'。
×It doesn't make any differences.
✓It doesn't make any difference.
'difference' 在此為不可數名詞，表示『重要性、影響』，應使用單數形式。
×The difference of price is huge.
✓The difference in price is huge.
表示在某個特定方面（如價格、顏色、大小）的差異時，應使用介系詞 'in'，而非 'of'。
×I can see a difference among the three options.
✓I can see a difference between the three options.
雖然 'among' 用於三者或以上，但 'difference' 在比較多個項目時，習慣上仍使用 'between'。
×What is the difference of 'affect' and 'effect'?
✓What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
詢問兩個事物之間的差異時，固定使用 'What is the difference between A and B?' 的句型，不可用 'of' 連接。
×There are many cultural differences in the world.
✓There are many cultural differences around the world.
雖然 'in the world' 語法上正確，但表達『世界各地』的差異時，使用 'around the world' 或 'across the world' 更為自然。原句語意較模糊，可能被理解為『世界內部的』差異。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Difference"?What are tense/participle forms of "Difference"?