相応|そうおうsouou[0]heiban (flat)
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- na-adjective, no-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbsuitable; appropriate; befitting; becoming; adequate; reasonable; proper
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, Buddhismconjoining; association; samprayukta
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 相応する(そうおうする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 相応します(そうおうします) |
| Negative (nai) | 相応しない(そうおうしない) |
| polite (masen) | 相応しません(そうおうしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 相応せず・相応せぬ(そうおうせず・そうおうせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 相応した(そうおうした) |
| polite (mashita) | 相応しました(そうおうしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 相応しなかった(そうおうしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 相応しませんでした(そうおうしませんでした) |
| Te form | 相応して(そうおうして) |
| Potential | 相応できる(そうおうできる) |
| Passive | 相応される(そうおうされる) |
| Causative | 相応させる(そうおうさせる) |
| Causative passive | 相応させられる(そうおうさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 相応すれば(そうおうすれば) |
| tara | 相応したら(そうおうしたら) |
| Volitional | 相応しよう(そうおうしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 相応しましょう(そうおうしましょう) |
| Imperative | 相応しろ(そうおうしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym似つかわしいにつかわしいWrittenAn adjective for becoming or well-matched, as in 「彼に似つかわしい服」; written/formal. 「相応」 stresses matching one's status or ability.
- SynonymふさわしいNeutralThe usual everyday adjective for being fitting or befitting, as in 「場にふさわしい服装」; its typical focus is suiting the occasion or setting.
- Synonymそれ相応それそうおうNeutralA noun meaning 'corresponding to that', as in 「それ相応の報酬」「それ相応の努力」; describes what matches the matter or situation in question.
- SynonymもってこいNeutralA set phrase for 'just perfect', as in 「散歩にもってこいの日」; colloquial.
- Synonym好適こうてきNeutralA na-adjective for ideally suited, as in 「好適な環境」; leans written/formal and is mostly used of conditions.
- SynonymうってつけNeutralA noun for something perfectly suited, as in 「彼にうってつけの仕事」; colloquial.
- Related適当てきとうNeutralA na-adjective for 'suitable', but in speech it can also mean careless or half-hearted, as in 「適当に答える」 — a usage to watch out for.
- Related適切てきせつNeutralA na-adjective for what is apt for the situation, as in 「適切な処置」; 「相応」 stresses matching one's status or ability.
- RelatedよろしいFormalAn adjective meaning 'good' or 'all right', as in 「よろしいですか」; the formal way of saying 「よい」.
- Related適正てきせいNeutralA na-adjective for what is fair and proper, as in 「適正価格」; mostly used of prices and administration.
- Related妥当だとうNeutralA na-adjective for a sound, defensible judgement, as in 「妥当な判断」; stresses accord with reason.
- Related順当じゅんとうNeutralA na-adjective for what accords with reason or expectations, as in 「順当に勝ち進む」; 「相応」 is about being proportionate.
- Related適合てきごうNeutralA noun for conforming to a standard, as in 「規格に適合する」; mostly technical specifications.
- RelatedリーズナブルNeutralA loanword for reasonably priced, as in 「リーズナブルな店」; common in speech.
- Related手ごろてごろNeutralA na-adjective for a handy size or moderate price, as in 「手ごろな値段」; common in speech.
- Related分相応ぶんそうおうNeutralA noun for what befits one's station, as in 「分相応の暮らし」; stresses not overstepping one's lot in life.
- RelatedしかるべきNeutralA prenominal word for 'due' or 'proper', as in 「しかるべき処分」; leans written/formal.
- Related適したてきしたNeutralA prenominal form meaning 'suited to', as in 「初心者に適した本」; stresses fitting the conditions or purpose at hand.
- Related合目的ごうもくてきWrittenWritten/formal, meaning serving a purpose, as in 「合目的な設計」; mostly academic.
- Related程よいほどよいNeutralAn adjective for 'just right' in degree, as in 「程よい甘さ」; stresses moderation.
- Related合目的的ごうもくてきてきWrittenA na-adjective meaning congruent with a purpose; an academic term that sounds stiffer than 「合目的」.
- Related至当しとうWrittenWritten/formal for 'entirely proper', as in 「至当な措置」; rare — 「妥当」 is the usual word.
- Related値ごろねごろNeutralA noun for a price that feels right, as in 「値ごろ感」; used of product prices.
- Antonym不相応ふそうおうNeutralThe antonym: not befitting one's station, as in 「身分不相応」.
Use 「相応」 for what matches one's status, ability or effort, as in 「年相応」「それ相応の努力」. For what suits the occasion, 「ふさわしい」 is the everyday choice; for a sound judgement, 「適切」; for a moderate price or size, 「手ごろ」. The opposite is 「不相応」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


