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異
異 (readings: い, こと; Japanese kanji) means “different / unusual”. It is a Grade 6 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 6 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 異文化 (a different culture).
What does 異 mean?
| Kanji | 異 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | different / unusual |
| Readings | い, こと |
| Grade | Grade 6 (Hardest) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 異
異 is read い or こと depending on the word.
Example words with 異
| Example | 異文化 (a different culture) |
|---|
Practice writing 異 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14