How to say "satisfactory" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- pre-noun adjectivalRarely the neutral word for 'satisfactory': it usually appears in negative sentences, denying that anything decent or proper is there — no decent explanation, hardly any satisfactory results.
- 可かnoun, noun (suffix)Chiefly a grade or mark of approval: 'acceptable' as in a bare pass on a scale, or 'permitted'. As a free-standing way to say 'satisfactory' in ordinary sentences it is marginal.
- 十分じゅうぶんna-adjectiveUse this when 'satisfactory' means adequate or good enough — the explanation, time, or amount meets the need. It judges sufficiency rather than praising quality.
- 好調こうちょうna-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'satisfactory' in the sense of favorable: business, sales, or performance that is going well. It comments on how things are progressing rather than on whether something is merely adequate.
- 良好りょうこうna-adjective, noun'Satisfactory' as a positive verdict that a state or result is good: conditions, results, or relations described as fine or favorable. It evaluates the state of things, not sufficiency.
Choose 十分 when 'satisfactory' means adequate or good enough; 好調 and 良好 for favorable results or conditions; 可 for a bare pass or approval; 「ろくな」 mostly appears in negative sentences denying anything decent.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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