Japanese word

適当

Pronunciation

Romajitekitō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveappropriate

Example

この仕事に適当な人を選びます。ko no shi goto ni teki tō na hito o era bi ma su

We choose a suitable person for this job.

Illustration for 適当 (appropriate)

More examples

私たちは会話の練習に適当な話題を選びました。watashi ta chi wa kai wa no ren shū ni teki tō na wa dai o era bi ma shi ta

We chose an appropriate topic for conversation practice.

Core concept

Describes a choice or action judged in relation to a situation, either as fitting it or as made without careful thought.

Common phrases

  • 適当な話題teki tō na wa dai

    an appropriate topic

  • 適当な例teki tō na rei

    an appropriate example

Similar words

適切tekisetsu: Describes something that fits the purpose, situation, or need.
妥当datō: Describes a judgment or choice that is reasonable and can be accepted.

Definition in Japanese

物事が目的や場面にかなっていて、適切であるさま。mono goto ga moku teki ya ba men ni ka na tte i te teki setsu de a ru sa ma

Word origin

適当 (tekitō, "appropriate") is a compound of 適 (teki, "suitable") and 当 (tō, "corresponding"), which together convey the idea of fitting a purpose.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 適当に選ぶ (tekitō ni erabu) can describe either choosing suitably or choosing casually without much thought, so the surrounding context is important.

Other meanings

  • carelessna-adjective

Opposites

  • 不適当futekitōinappropriatena-adjective

Related words

  • 適当さtekitōsaappropriatenessnoun

Word lists with this word