caa1差
Jyutpingcaa1
Yalechā
Definition
The mathematical difference; the number obtained by subtracting one number from another.
neutralschoolnumbers
How it's used
Refers specifically to the result of a subtraction operation in mathematical contexts. While the character is extremely common in Cantonese as an adjective meaning poor or inferior, its use as a noun for mathematical difference is restricted to formal or academic settings. In casual conversation, people often avoid this noun and instead use descriptive phrases like 減完剩幾多.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this noun with the adjective 差, which describes something as bad or poor. When used as a noun in math, it is almost always preceded by a possessive 嘅 or a demonstrative like 呢個.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
