適当|てきとうtekitou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
テキトーtekitoo
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, nounsuitable; proper; appropriate; adequate; fit; fair
    INF社しゃの誰だれか最もっとも適当てきとうな人ひとを教おしえてください。↗
    Can you please let me know the most suitable person in INF Co., Ltd?
  2. 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.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • 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

Japanese definitions
  1. ある状態じょうたい・性質せいしつ・要求ようきゅうなどに、ふさわしいこと。適度てきど。適切てきせつ。
  2. いい加減かげん。大雑把おおざっぱ。無計画むけいかく。ほどほど。おおまか。
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).

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