適当|てきとうtekitou[0]heiban (flat)
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- na-adjective, nounsuitable; proper; appropriate; adequate; fit; fair
- na-adjective, nounperfunctory; half-minded; sloppy; lazy; careless; noncommittal; unreliable; irresponsible; haphazard
Conjugation
| Plain form | 適当(てきとう) |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 適当です(てきとうです) |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 適当ではない(てきとうではない) |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 適当ではありません(てきとうではありません) |
| Past (datta) | 適当だった(てきとうだった) |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 適当ではなかった(てきとうではなかった) |
| Te form (de) | 適当で(てきとうで) |
| Adverbial (ni) | 適当に(てきとうに) |
| Conditional (nara) | 適当なら(てきとうなら) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym適切てきせつNeutralListed as the antonym of 「適当」's careless sense: 「適切」 always means spot-on and appropriate.
- Synonym適正てきせいWrittenWritten register. Emphasizes being fair and in line with standards; often modifies prices or scale, as in 「適正価格」.
- SynonymふさわしいNeutralA native adjective stressing that something matches a person's status or the occasion, as in 「彼にふさわしい」; no careless nuance.
- Synonym妥当だとうWrittenWritten register. Used for judgments and conclusions that are sound and hold up to reason; common in argumentative writing.
- Synonym適宜てきぎWrittenWritten register, mostly adverbial: do something as circumstances require, at your own discretion, as in 「適宜休憩する」.
- Synonym手ごろてごろNeutralAbout size, price or difficulty being manageable, or something being handy to use, as in 「手ごろな値段」.
- Synonym順当じゅんとうNeutralAbout things going as reason or the natural order dictates, as in 「順当に勝ち進む」.
- Synonym適したてきしたNeutralAttributive form of the verb 「適する」; used as 「~に適した」 before a noun to mean suited to a particular purpose or use.
- SynonymしかるべきWrittenA pre-noun word meaning 'due' or 'proper', as in 「しかるべき処置」; carries a weighty, formal tone.
- Synonym好適こうてきWrittenFormal written word for ideally suited to a purpose, as in 「好適な条件」; rarely heard in everyday speech.
- SynonymうってつけCasualColloquial. Says something could not be more perfect for the situation — stronger than 「適当」 and with no careless nuance.
- Synonym至当しとうWrittenWritten register meaning perfectly just and only natural; rarely used in modern Japanese.
- Related似つかわしいにつかわしいNeutralStresses that looks or character suit a person or occasion; never used in the careless, half-hearted sense.
- Related相応そうおうNeutralStresses matching one's status, ability or level; common in 「年相応」 and 「相応の」.
- Related正しいただしいNeutralMeans correct or in keeping with reason and rules — a question of right and wrong, not of suitability.
- RelatedよろしいFormalA formal way of saying 「よい」: 'that is fine' or 'permissible'; can also judge something suitable for a purpose. Polite contexts; no careless nuance.
- Related良いよいNeutralA far broader word for 'good' or 'enough'; interchangeable with 「適当」 only when saying a choice works, as in 「ここが良い」.
- Related適度てきどNeutralAbout degree or amount being just right, as in 「適度な運動」; no careless nuance.
- RelatedいいCasualThe colloquial all-purpose 'good' or 'fine'; close to 「適当」 when saying a choice or spot works, as in 「この場所がいい」.
- Related適任てきにんNeutralSaid only of people who are the right fit for a job or role, as in 「彼が適任だ」; not used for things.
- Relatedそれ相応それそうおうNeutralMeans 'commensurate with that' — fitting the situation in degree, as in 「それ相応の報酬」.
- RelatedもってこいCasualColloquial for 'just right, ideal', as in 「散歩に持ってこい」; also used as a shout meaning 'fetch!'.
- Antonym不適当ふてきとうWrittenAntonym in written register: negates the 'appropriate' side of 「適当」, meaning unsuitable or improper.
「適切」 is the safe default for 'appropriate', since 「適当」 often means sloppy or half-hearted in speech. Use 「ふさわしい」 or 「相応」 for matching status or occasion, 「適度」 for the right degree, 「適した」 for fit for a purpose, 「適任」 for the right person, and 「手ごろ」 for handy size or price. 「打ってつけ」 and 「持って来い」 are colloquial 'just right'; 「妥当」「適正」「然るべき」「適宜」「好適」「至当」 are written or formal. 「良い」 and 「いい」 are general 'good' words, not specifically 'suitable'. 「不適当」 is the direct antonym.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


