似合わしい・似合しい|にあわしいniawashii[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
似合わしい似合わしい is the more common spelling and the recommended default for beginners; use it when you need to write this word.
似合しい似合しい is a less common spelling variant; for writing this word, learners should generally choose 似合わしい instead.
Definitions
- i-adjectivewell-matched; suitable; becoming
Conjugation
| Plain form | 似合わしい（にあわしい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 似合わしいです（にあわしいです） |
| Negative (kunai) | 似合わしくない（にあわしくない） |
| polite (ku arimasen) | 似合わしくありません（にあわしくありません） |
| Past (katta) | 似合わしかった（にあわしかった） |
| Past negative (kunakatta) | 似合わしくなかった（にあわしくなかった） |
| Te form (kute) | 似合わしくて（にあわしくて） |
| Adverbial (ku) | 似合わしく（にあわしく） |
| Conditional (kereba) | 似合わしければ（にあわしければ） |
| kattara | 似合わしかったら（にあわしかったら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym似つかわしいにつかわしいNeutralNear-synonym: matching, just right for someone or something. Like 「似合わしい」 but more common, stressing harmony with one's status or the mood of a scene.
- SynonymふさわしいNeutralThe everyday word for suitable or fitting; the most common choice. Stresses that one's qualifications or conditions match what is called for.
- SynonymもってこいCasualColloquial idiom: 'just right', could not be more suitable. Said with warmth and enthusiasm.
- Synonym好適こうてきWrittenWritten/formal: exactly right, ideal, as in 「好適な環境」. It has a bookish ring and belongs mainly to written prose.
- SynonymうってつけCasualColloquial: exactly right, the perfect fit. Where 「似合わしい」 leans written, this is the everyday way to say something suits perfectly.
- Related適切てきせつNeutralAppropriate, apt, as in 「適切な対応」. Focuses on handling a matter properly, not on matching a person's character or status.
- Related相応そうおうNeutralBefitting, corresponding, as in 「年齢相応」. Stresses that the degree or amount matches; also used as a noun.
- Related良いよいNeutralSimply 'good'; the most versatile word of all, but it does not specifically mean well-matched, and in writing it can sound formal.
- Related合うあうNeutralA verb: to suit, to match, to agree. Broad in use and common in speech; choose it when you need to state that things fit.
- RelatedいいCasualColloquial 'good' or 'fine'; the most versatile everyday word, but it does not specifically mean well-matched.
- Related適したてきしたNeutralSuited to a purpose, role or status, as in 「身分に適した暮らし」. Focuses on fitness for a use or condition rather than appearance or atmosphere.
- Relatedそれ相応それそうおうNeutralProportionate to the case at hand; stresses a corresponding degree. Frequently appears as 「それ相応の」 before a noun.
- Related分相応ぶんそうおうNeutralWithin one's means or station, as in 「分相応な暮らし」. Stresses what befits one's own status and abilities.
- Antonym不相応ふそうおうNeutralAntonym: unsuited to one's status, improper. The direct opposite of 「似合わしい」.
- Antonym似合わないNeutralAntonym: not matching, not becoming, out of keeping. Opposite in meaning to 「似合わしい」.
Use 「似合わしい」 for harmony with a person's or thing's character, status or the mood; it leans written and is not common. In daily speech say 「相応しい」, or 「似つかわしい」 for harmony with status or atmosphere. For 'just right' say 「打ってつけ」 (colloquial) or 「好適」 (written). The antonym is 「不相応」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
