Used in formal or written contexts to indicate a difference of opinion or a discrepancy. Often appears in compounds like 異議 (objection) or 異論 (different opinion).
Describes something that deviates from the norm, often with a nuance of peculiarity. Commonly used in the adjectival noun form 異だ or 異な.
Prefix used in compounds to mean 'different' or 'other', such as 異文化 (different culture) or 異世界 (another world). Not used as a standalone word in this sense.
Cross-cultural communication is difficult.
The two of them differ in opinion.
There is a difference of opinion between the two parties.
His behavior is strange.
I felt an unusual atmosphere.
違う is the everyday verb for 'to be different' or 'to be wrong', whereas 異 is a formal written noun/prefix rarely used alone.
変 is the casual adjectival noun for 'strange' or 'weird', while 異 carries the same meaning but in a much more formal, literary register.
意 (meaning 'intention, meaning', as in 意味) shares the reading い with 異 but has an unrelated meaning, so learners can mix up compounds like 意義 and 異議.
The kanji 異 has been used historically to express difference or strangeness. The reading い is the on'yomi, commonly used in compounds. The exact derivation of the word as a standalone term is uncertain, but it is associated with formal and literary registers.
personnel change; transfer; reshuffle
strange; odd; peculiar; weird; bizarre; unusual
different opinion; objection
unusual event; abnormal occurrence; anomaly
foreign country; foreign land
different kind; heterogeneous; heterologous
variant; variant form · heteromorphism; heteromorphy
fantastic; grotesque; strange-looking
unique; distinctive; novel · different color
different in nature; heterogeneous; alien
another name; nickname; alias · synonym (biology)
pagan; heathen; heretic
offensive smell; stench; foul odor
mystery; strangeness; bizarre phenomenon · ghost; monster; apparition
different mother; half- (sibling)
strange tale; curious report
odd; strange; peculiar
paganism; heathenism; non-mainstream religion
conspicuousness; prominence; distinctiveness
abnormality; unusual condition; something wrong
foreigner; Westerner · different person; another person