The Chinese word “差” has several meanings depending on the context. It can be used as a verb, noun, adjective, or part of a time expression. Here's how it's commonly used in sentences:
1. As an Adjective: “bad” / “poor quality”
Used to describe something that is not good, low in quality, or worse than expected.
2. As a Verb: “to lack” / “to be short of”
Used to show something is missing or not enough (often with quantity or time).
3. In Time Expressions: “(minutes) to (an hour)”
Used to express time before the hour (like in English: "ten to eight").
4. As a Noun (rare): “difference”
Sometimes used to mean a gap or difference, usually in more formal or written language.
(Note: In this case “差距” includes “差” but is a compound word.)