How to Say ‘Different’ in Japanese
ちがって
chigatsu te
[chee-gaht teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [ちがって] is the [て-form] of [ちがう] "to differ." It often links ideas, like "being different, ..." In conversation about convenience stores, you may hear [セブンとファミマはちがって、ローソンは〜] = "7-Eleven and FamilyMart are different, and Lawson is..."
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese people often compare convenience stores by what feels a little "different" at each one: coffee, fried chicken, sweets, or store-brand snacks.
Phrase Breakdown
ちがっ
chigatsu
[chee-gaht]
different
Stem of ちがう, meaning to differ or be different.
セブンとローソンはちがって、売れ筋も少し変わります。
7-Eleven and Lawson are different, so their popular items also change a little.
て
te
[teh]
and / connecting form
Te-form ending used to connect clauses or actions.
ファミマを見て、て、またセブンにも行きました。
I looked at FamilyMart, and then also went to 7-Eleven.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager