差がつく · godan verb (-ku)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 差がつく | 差がつかない |
| Polite | 差がつきます | 差がつきません |
| Past polite | 差がつきました | 差がつきませんでした |
| Past | 差がついた | 差がつかなかった |
| Te-form | 差がついて | 差がつかないで |
| Desire | 差がつきたい | 差がつきたくない |
| Potential | 差がつける | 差がつけない |
| Passive | 差がつかれる | 差がつかれない |
| Causative | 差がつかせる | 差がつかせない |
| Causative passive | 差がつかせられるalso 差がつかされる | 差がつかせられないalso 差がつかされない |
| Volitional | 差がつこう | |
| Polite volitional | 差がつきましょう | |
| Imperative | 差がつけ | 差がつくな |
| Conditional | 差がつけば | 差がつかなければ |
| Tara conditional | 差がついたら | 差がつかなかったら |
a gap develops; a difference emerges
Describes a situation where a measurable difference or gap appears, often in competitive contexts like sports, academics, or business.
In the second half, a gap in ability between the two teams emerged.
This exam will probably create a gap between those who studied and those who didn't.
Alternate kanji for つく; less common but still seen.
Compound of 差 (difference) + が (subject marker) + つく (to attach, to be established). The verb つく here carries the sense of something becoming fixed or established, so the phrase literally means 'a difference attaches/establishes itself'.