Japanese word

似合う

Pronunciation

Romajiniau

Meaning

  • verbsuit

Example

その帽子はあなたに似合います。so no bō shi wa a na ta ni ni a i ma su

That hat suits you.

Illustration for 似合う (suit)

More examples

新しい髪型があなたの顔に似合っています。atara shi i kami gata ga a na ta no kao ni ni a tte i ma su

Your new hairstyle suits your face.

Core concept

Expresses that a person, outfit, color, or style has an appearance that fits the person using or wearing it.

Common phrases

  • よく似合うyo ku ni a u

    suit well

  • あなたに似合うa na ta ni ni a u

    suit you

Similar words

合うau: To fit a person, purpose, taste, or situation in a suitable way.
映えるhaeru: To appear striking and attractive because of the setting, color, or surrounding features.

Definition in Japanese

衣服や色などが、その人の姿や雰囲気に合っていて見栄えがする。i fuku ya iro na do ga so no hito no sugata ya fun i ki ni a tte i te mi ba e ga su ru

Word origin

似合う (niau, "to suit") is a native Japanese compound of 似る (niru, "to resemble") and 合う (au, "to fit"), linking resemblance with a fitting appearance.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, お似合いです (oniai desu) can praise an outfit or say that two people look well matched, which gives the word a broader social use.

Other meanings

  • matchverb

Related words

  • 似合いniaisuitabilitynoun

Word lists with this word