雲うん壌じょう

noun

clouds and earth; heaven and earth; great difference

Literary term for the vast gap between clouds and earth, used figuratively for an enormous difference. Often appears in the set phrase 雲壌の差 (うんじょうのさ) meaning 'a world of difference'.

• 両りょう者しゃの実じつ力りょくには雲うん壌じょうの差さがある。

  There is a world of difference in ability between the two.

• この二ふたつの作さく品ひんは、質しつにおいて雲うん壌じょうの差さだ。

  These two works are poles apart in quality.