How to say "proper" in Japanese

• 当然とうぜんCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers 'proper' in the sense of what is right, just, or naturally deserved. It often corresponds to 'naturally' or 'of course,' so it is seldom the word for something merely suitable.
  彼かれが息子むすこの自慢じまんをするのは当然とうぜんだ。↗

  It is only natural that he be proud of his son.
• 適当てきとうJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe everyday word for 'proper' as suitable or appropriate — something that fits the purpose or occasion. Be aware it can also imply doing something offhand or half-heartedly rather than carefully.
  ＩＮＦ社しゃの誰だれか最もっとも適当てきとうな人ひとを教おしえてください。↗

  Can you please let me know the most suitable person in INF Co., Ltd?
• まっとうCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'proper' for people, behavior, or ways of life that are decent, honest, and respectable — respectability rather than suitability. Usually written in kana alone.
• 順当じゅんとうCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'proper' as right and reasonable — a fair, natural result that is just as expected. It describes outcomes or judgments that are proper in the sense of deserved, not choices that are suitable.
• 適度てきどJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveThis is the 'proper (amount)' sense — moderate degrees and quantities, neither too much nor too little. Use it for amount or degree, not for whether a choice or method is appropriate.
  健康けんこうは適切てきせつな食事しょくじと適度てきどな運動うんどうにある。↗

  Good health consists of proper eating and moderate exercise.

Choose 適当 for something suitable or appropriate, 適度 for proper amounts or degrees, 当然 for what is right or naturally deserved, 順当 for fair and reasonable outcomes, and 「まっとう」 for decent, respectable people or conduct.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 当然とうぜんnatural
• 適当てきとうsuitable
• まっとうproper
• 順当じゅんとうproper
• 適度てきどmoderate (degree)
• 妥当だとうvalid
• プロパーproper
• 穏当おんとうproper
• 正則せいそくcorrect
• 適切てきせつappropriate
• 正式せいしきformal
• 正当せいとうjust
• 相応そうおうsuitable
• ろくなsatisfactory
• 適宜てきぎsuitable
• 真のしんのtrue
• いっぱしfully fledged
• 端然たんぜんproper (appearance, posture, etc.)
• しかるべきproper
• ちゃんとしたproper
• 至当しとうjust
• 型通りかたどおりformal
• それ相応それそうおうappropriate
• ろくsatisfactory
• 本式ほんしきformal (way)
• 適したてきしたadequate (for)
• 王道的おうどうてきclassic
• 本当ほんとうproper
• 正しいただしいproper
• 本来ほんらいproper
• 端正たんせいdecent
• まともhonest
• 満足まんぞくsufficient
• 本格的ほんかくてきfull-scale
• 程よいほどよいproper
• こてこてthrough and through
• ちょっとしたconsiderable
• たいていproper
• 本ほんreal