Narrow Margin
Small Difference
noun
When there's only a slight distinction between you and your opponent, victory is sure to be decided by a narrow margin.
僅差 refers to a very small difference — like winning or losing by just a hair. You'll hear it in sports, competitions, tests, or rankings when the gap is tiny: a few points, a few seconds, or almost nothing at all. It is a relatively formal word that shows up more in writing, news, and commentary than in casual chats.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
僅差で敗れる
to be defeated by a narrow margin
僅差で勝つ
to win by a narrow margin
僅差で負ける
to lose by a narrow margin
僅差で当選する
to be elected by a narrow margin
僅差で可決する
to approve by a narrow margin
僅差でライバルに負けて、すごくくやしかった。
Losing to my rival by such a small margin was extremely frustrating.
試合は僅差で相手チームが勝った。
The opposing team won the game by a narrow margin.
僅差だったため、最後まで結果が読めなかった。
It was so close that no one could predict the outcome until the very end.
僅差だったんで判定に時間がかかったんです。
It was extremely close, so it took some time for the judges to reach a decision.