How to say "appropriate" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 適切てきせつna-adjective, nounThe default choice for 'appropriate' in the sense of right and fitting for the situation or purpose — an appropriate answer, method, or measure.
- 適当てきとうna-adjective, nounIt can mean 'suitable, proper', but in many everyday uses it suggests something vague or done half-heartedly, so it is a risky choice for 'appropriate'; 適切 is usually safer.
- i-adjectiveCovers 'fitting' or 'befitting': words, dress, or a person that match the mood, dignity, or worth of an occasion or role.君にふさわしいはずはないのだから。↗He couldn't be good for you.
- 当該とうがいno-adjectiveBelongs to formal written and legal language: it means 'the ... in question' or 'concerned', as in the authorities concerned, and is seldom the word you want for 'appropriate' in ordinary contexts.
- 相応そうおうna-adjective, no-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbDescribes something befitting or proportionate: conduct appropriate to a person's age or standing, or a price and reward that match the worth of what was done.
Use 適切 for the everyday sense of 'right for the situation', 「ふさわしい」 for what befits a person or occasion, 相応 for what is proportionate to someone's standing, 適当 with caution, and 当該 only in formal 'concerned' contexts.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 適切てきせつappropriate
- 適当てきとうsuitable
- ふさわしいappropriate
- 当該とうがいappropriate (e.g. authorities)
- 相応そうおうsuitable
- 適宜てきぎsuitable
- うまいskillful
- 似つかわしいにつかわしいsuitable
- 応分おうぶんaccording to one's abilities
- 当然とうぜんnatural
- 妥当だとうvalid
- 的確てきかくaccurate
- 穏当おんとうproper
- それ相応それそうおうappropriate
- しかるべきproper
- 合目的ごうもくてきpurposive
- 適したてきしたadequate (for)
- 合目的的ごうもくてきてきpertinent
- 私するわたくしするto use (public property) for personal purposes
- 相当そうとうappropriate
- 時々ときどきseasonal
- 切実せつじつpertinent
- 振り向けるふりむけるto appropriate
- 究竟くっきょうexcellent
- たいていproper
See also
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