妥当|だとうdatou[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- na-adjective, noun, suru verb, intransitive verbvalid; proper; right; appropriate; reasonable
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 妥当する（だとうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 妥当します（だとうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 妥当しない（だとうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 妥当しません（だとうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 妥当せず・妥当せぬ（だとうせず・だとうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 妥当した（だとうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 妥当しました（だとうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 妥当しなかった（だとうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 妥当しませんでした（だとうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 妥当して（だとうして） |
| Potential | 妥当できる（だとうできる） |
| Passive | 妥当される（だとうされる） |
| Causative | 妥当させる（だとうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 妥当させられる（だとうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 妥当すれば（だとうすれば） |
| tara | 妥当したら（だとうしたら） |
| Volitional | 妥当しよう（だとうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 妥当しましょう（だとうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 妥当しろ（だとうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym適切てきせつNeutralFor something that fits the situation just right, as in 「適切な対応」. 「妥当」 focuses on a judgment being reasonable and defensible.
- Synonym適正てきせいNeutralUsed for quantities, prices and the like meeting a proper standard, as in 「適正価格」. 「妥当」 is about the soundness of a judgment.
- Synonym順当じゅんとうNeutralMeans going as common sense would expect, as in 「順当に勝ち進む」. 「妥当」 centers on reasonable judgment.
- Synonym正当せいとうNeutralMeans legitimate or lawful, as in 「正当防衛」. 「妥当」 concerns being reasonable and apt, not legality.
- Synonym穏当おんとうNeutralMeans safe and moderate, not extreme, as in 「穏当な表現」. 「妥当」 is about reasonableness.
- Synonym正しいただしいNeutralThe most general word for correct or right. 「妥当」 means apt and reasonable, not necessarily the only correct answer.
- Synonym適当てきとうNeutralMeans suitable, but in modern colloquial use often implies being perfunctory or sloppy. 「妥当」 has no such negative shade.
- Synonym至当しとうWrittenWritten/formal prose; means extremely appropriate, a stronger degree than 「妥当」.
- Related相応そうおうNeutralFor matching one's status or ability, as in 「年齢相応」. 「妥当」 focuses on sound judgment.
- RelatedふさわしいNeutralFor befitting a person or occasion, as in 「彼にふさわしい」. 「妥当」 is about reasonable judgment.
- Related的確てきかくNeutralMeans accurate and on target, as in 「的確な判断」. 「妥当」 stresses being reasonable and holding up.
- Related公正こうせいNeutralMeans impartial and fair, often in trials or transactions. 「妥当」 is about being reasonable and appropriate.
- Related公平こうへいNeutralMeans treating everyone equally, even-handed. 「妥当」 centers on sound judgment.
- Related合理的ごうりてきNeutralMeans logical and reasoned, with a rational slant. 「妥当」 stresses conclusions that make sense.
- Related似つかわしいにつかわしいWrittenWritten/formal prose; means matching or befitting a person or occasion, often in the negative 「似つかわしくない」.
- RelatedしかるべきWrittenWritten/formal prose; a pre-noun word meaning due or called-for, as in 「しかるべき措置」. 「妥当」 is a na-adjective.
- Related剴切がいせつWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare; means hitting the point, perfectly apt. In everyday speech say 「適切」.
- Related適したてきしたNeutralUsually in the pattern 「〜に適した」, meaning suited to a purpose. 「妥当」 is about sound judgment.
- Relatedそれ相応それそうおうNeutralMeans commensurate with the thing at hand, as in 「それ相応の報酬」. 「妥当」 is about reasonableness.
- Antonym不当ふとうNeutralThe antonym of 「妥当」 on the axis of reasonableness: means unreasonable, unjust, improper.
Use 「妥当」 when a judgment or conclusion is reasonable and holds up. For something that fits the situation just right, choose 「適切」; for quantities or prices meeting a proper standard, 「適正」; for accuracy, 「的確」; for befitting a person, 「ふさわしい」. The antonym is 「不当」.
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
