Meaning

Primary

To Differ

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means differ so the verb vocab version is to differ.

Reading

ことなる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Look at your coat (こと), now look at mine. They are different. If you look at them, they are going to differ.

Context

Context Sentences

種類の異なるコーヒーを飲み比べてみました。

I drank and compared different types of coffee.

異なる言語や文化を背景にした人々同士でコミュニケーションを上手く取るのは難しいと思います。

It is difficult for people from differing language and cultural backgrounds to communicate well with each other.

それぞれの薬には、異なる副作用があります。

Each medicine has varying side effects.

Kanji Composition