Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that two things work well together, get along, or are suitable for each other in Japanese. It is organized by the type of compatibility: personal relationships, technical/functional fit, and general suitability.
To say that two people get along well, have good chemistry, or are compatible in personality or interests.
The most common way to say people are compatible. Literally 'spirits meet', it means you click or get along well.
私たちは気が合う。
We get along well.
彼とは気が合うと思う。
I think I'm compatible with him.
Literally 'compatibility is good'. Used for people, but also for things like food and drink pairings. Very natural for personal relationships.
彼女とは相性がいい。
I'm compatible with her.
あの二人は相性がいいね。
Those two are really compatible, aren't they?
A slightly old-fashioned but still common phrase meaning to get along well, like 'hit it off'. Literally 'horses meet'.
彼とは馬が合う。
I get along great with him.
The negative form, meaning 'to not get along'. Literally 'sleds don't match'. Useful for expressing incompatibility.
どうも彼とはそりが合わない。
I just don't get along with him.
To say that a device, software, or system works with another without problems.
The standard term for technical compatibility. Literally 'has interchangeability'. Used for hardware, software, file formats, etc.
このプリンターはWindowsと互換性がある。
This printer is compatible with Windows.
そのソフトウェアは最新のOSと互換性がありません。
That software is not compatible with the latest OS.
Means 'supports' or 'is compatible with'. Very common in product descriptions. Often used as '〜に対応している'.
このアプリはiOSとAndroidに対応しています。
This app is compatible with iOS and Android.
In casual contexts, simply saying 'can use' implies compatibility. Often used with '〜で'.
To say that two things are a good match, go well together, or are suitable for each other in a non-technical sense.
The basic verb meaning 'to match' or 'to suit'. Very versatile. Can be used for clothes, food pairings, schedules, etc.
このワインはチーズに合う。
This wine goes well with cheese.
その服はあなたに合っている。
Those clothes suit you.
Also used for non-human pairings, like food and drink, or a person and a job. Emphasizes natural compatibility.
このお茶と和菓子は相性がいい。
This tea and Japanese sweets are a great match.
Loanword from English 'match'. Often used in marketing or casual speech for things that go well together.
この色とデザインがマッチしている。
This color and design go well together.
Both mean people get along, but 気が合う focuses on shared feelings or interests, while 相性がいい is broader and can include natural chemistry or even astrological compatibility. 相性がいい is also used for things.
彼とは趣味が合うから気が合う。
We have the same hobbies, so we get along.
彼女とは相性がいいけど、趣味は全然違う。
I'm compatible with her, but our hobbies are completely different.
互換性 is strictly for technical/functional compatibility. Using it for personal relationships sounds robotic and unnatural.
このゲーム、スマホで使える？
Is this game compatible with smartphones?