似合う|にあうniau[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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- godan verb, intransitive verbto suit; to match; to become; to be like
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 似合う(にあう) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 似合います(にあいます) |
| Negative (nai) | 似合わない(にあわない) |
| polite (masen) | 似合いません(にあいません) |
| classical zu / nu | 似合わず・似合わぬ(にあわず・にあわぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 似合った(にあった) |
| polite (mashita) | 似合いました(にあいました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 似合わなかった(にあわなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 似合いませんでした(にあいませんでした) |
| Te form | 似合って(にあって) |
| Potential | 似合える(にあえる) |
| Passive | 似合われる(にあわれる) |
| Causative | 似合わせる(にあわせる) |
| Causative passive | 似合わせられる・似合わされる(にあわせられる・にあわされる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 似合えば(にあえば) |
| tara | 似合ったら(にあったら) |
| Volitional | 似合おう(にあおう) |
| polite (mashou) | 似合いましょう(にあいましょう) |
| Imperative | 似合え(にあえ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym合うあうNeutralAbout things matching or agreeing, such as sizes and tastes; 「似合う」 focuses on looking well-matched, as in 「名前が似合う」.
- Synonym釣り合うつりあうNeutralFor two parties being evenly matched in standing, e.g. a marriage between families of equal rank; 「似合う」 is about looking right.
- Synonym適するてきするNeutralSuits a purpose or set of conditions, as in 「農業に適した土地」; 「似合う」 is about outward appearance.
- Related調和ちょうわNeutralOverall harmony among elements, e.g. colors or music; 「似合う」 is mostly used for clothes and people.
- Antonym不釣合いふつりあいNeutralA mismatch or lack of balance, the opposite of 「似合う」, often carrying a critical tone.
- Antonym似合わないNeutralThe negative of 「似合う」: not matching, not suiting.
Use 「似合う」 when clothes, hairstyles and the like look right on someone. For sizes or tastes fitting, say 「合う」; for evenly matched partners, 「釣り合う」; for overall harmony, 「調和」; for suitability to a purpose, 「適する」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


