落差 luòchā drop in elevation
drop in elevation; (figuratively) gap (in wages, expectations etc); disparity
How to remember 落差: 落 fall + 差 differ from = drop in elevation.
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How it is used
- Literal drop in height (water, terrain) - 瀑布落差很大 (pùbù luòchā hěn dà) the waterfall has a big drop.
- Very common figuratively for a gap between expectation and reality - 心理落差 (xīnlǐ luòchā) the emotional letdown/disparity, e.g. when reality falls short of hopes.
- The figurative use specifically implies a downward gap (things being worse than expected), unlike neutral 差距 (chājù, gap).