Translation guide
Expresses a state of agreement, balance, or peaceful coexistence. Japanese often uses verbs or adjectives describing matching, fitting, or blending rather than a single direct equivalent.
Describing people, groups, or relationships that are free of conflict and work well together.
The most common way to say people get along well. Literally 'relationship is good'.
Those two get along really well.
The concept of harmony, peace, and unity, especially in a group. Often used in compound words.
I value family harmony.
To manage to get along, to make things work smoothly in a relationship or situation.
I'm worried about whether I can get along with my new colleague.
Describing things that go together aesthetically, functionally, or conceptually.
To be in harmony, to harmonize. Used for colors, sounds, elements in a design, or abstract concepts.
This color is in harmony with the wallpaper.
To match, to suit, to go well together. Very common for clothes, accessories, food pairings, etc.
Loanword from English 'match'. Casual and common for things that go together visually or functionally.
Those shoes and bag really match, don't they?
To blend in, to melt into the surroundings. Used when something becomes part of the environment harmoniously.
Describing thoughts, statements, or actions that are consistent and not contradictory.
To agree, to be in accord, to match (opinions, results). Emphasizes exact correspondence.
Their opinions are in complete harmony.
To be consistent, to make sense, to add up. Often used for stories, alibis, or logical coherence.
His story doesn't add up (isn't in harmony).
Specifically referring to musical notes sounding pleasant together.
The English phrase 'be in harmony' covers many situations, but Japanese uses different words for people getting along, things matching, or ideas agreeing. Using 調和する for personal relationships sounds unnatural.
This tie goes well with that shirt.
その建物は自然に溶け込んでいる。
The building blends in with nature.
This chord sounds dissonant.