加減|かげんkagen[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, noun (suffix)degree; extent; amount; balance; state; condition
    お肉にくの焼やき加減かげんは、いかがなさいますか?↗
    How would you like your steak cooked?
  2. noun(health) condition; state of health
    母ははの加減かげんは少すこしもよくなっていなかった。むしろ悪わるくなっているようだった。↗
    My mother was not feeling any better. If anything, she looked worse.
  3. noun, suru verb, transitive verbadjustment; moderation; regulation
  4. noun, suru verb, transitive verbaddition and subtraction
  5. noun (suffix)slight sign of ...; slight state of ...
  6. noun (suffix)just right for ...
Conjugation
Dictionary form加減する(かげんする)
Polite (masu)加減します(かげんします)
Negative (nai)加減しない(かげんしない)
polite (masen)加減しません(かげんしません)
classical zu / nu加減せず・加減せぬ(かげんせず・かげんせぬ)
Past (ta)加減した(かげんした)
polite (mashita)加減しました(かげんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)加減しなかった(かげんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)加減しませんでした(かげんしませんでした)
Te form加減して(かげんして)
Potential加減できる(かげんできる)
Passive加減される(かげんされる)
Causative加減させる(かげんさせる)
Causative passive加減させられる(かげんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)加減すれば(かげんすれば)
tara加減したら(かげんしたら)
Volitional加減しよう(かげんしよう)
polite (mashou)加減しましょう(かげんしましょう)
Imperative加減しろ(かげんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym具合ぐあいNeutralCovers how something or someone is doing, including health, as in 「具合が悪い」; common in everyday speech. Unlike 加減, it has no sense of degree or moderation.
  • Synonym塩梅あんばいNeutralRefers to the saltiness of seasoning and, by extension, how a thing or the body is doing. It carries an old-fashioned, worldly-wise feel and is rare in casual talk.
  • Related調整ちょうせいNeutralMeans bringing something up to a set standard, or coordinating parties. 加減 stresses fine judgement — weighing how much to add or take away.
  • Related調節ちょうせつNeutralRegulating things like temperature or volume to a suitable level; somewhat technical. Close to 加減's adjusting sense but more objective.
  • Related調子ちょうしNeutralCovers one's state or momentum, and also pitch or tune. 加減 centers on degree and measure; as a plain word for condition it is less common.
  • Related体調たいちょうNeutralStrictly about physical condition and health. When 加減 is used for someone's health it usually appears in the honorific 「お加減」.
  • Related容態ようだいFormalA patient's medical condition, typically in serious illness or clinical settings; more formal than 「具合」 or 「お加減」.
  • RelatedコンディションNeutralA loanword for condition or physical shape, common in sports contexts. For everyday talk about health, 「体調」 is the more ordinary choice.
  • Related健康状態けんこうじょうたいWrittenWritten, objective term for one's state of health, seen in checkups and reports. In daily speech 「体調」 is used instead.

Use 「加減」 for degree, measure or adjusting as you see fit, as in 「手加減」 and 「火加減」. For how someone's health is, say 「具合」 or 「体調」; for a patient's state, 「容態」; for regulating something, 「調節」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 加くわえることと減へらすこと。
  2. 加法かほうと減法げんぽう。
  3. ちょうどよく調節ちょうせつすること。
  4. 程度ていど。具合ぐあい。調子ちょうし。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android