Translation guide
How to express that two people, things, or ideas go well together in Japanese. Covers romantic compatibility, complementary pairings, and well-suited combinations.
Describing two people who are well-suited as a couple or get along very well.
The most common and natural way to say two people are compatible. Used for friends, romantic partners, coworkers, etc.
Those two are a good match, aren't they?
I think we're a good match.
Often used by others to comment that a couple looks good together. Implies they suit each other visually or socially.
You two really are a good match.
Means 'perfectly matched' or 'just right'. Can be used for people or things.
He and she are a perfect match.
Describing items, colors, flavors, or abstract things that go well together.
Also used for non-human pairings like food and drink, tools, or concepts.
This wine and cheese are a good match.
A versatile verb meaning 'to match' or 'to go well with'. Often used in the form 〜に合う.
Emphasizes a perfect fit or match, like a lid for a pot or a solution to a problem.
This box is a perfect fit for the bookshelf.
Loanword from English 'match'. Used in casual contexts, especially for fashion or design.
That tie matches your suit well.
Saying a person is a good fit for a job, position, or activity.
Means 'suitable person' or 'right person for the job'. Used in professional or formal contexts.
He is a good match for this project.
From the verb 向く (to be suited for). Describes natural aptitude or suitability.
She is well-suited to be a teacher.
Can also be used for roles, meaning 'exactly right'.
This job is a perfect match for you.
Referring to a contest or pairing between opponents that is evenly matched or exciting.
相性がいい is specifically about compatibility, often implying a deeper or inherent harmony. 合う is more general and can be used for simple physical or functional matching (e.g., clothes, food combinations). For people, 相性がいい is preferred.
Do not directly translate 'good match' as 良い試合 (yoi shiai) unless you specifically mean a sports match. For compatibility, use 相性がいい or 合う.
This sauce goes well with fish.
Red goes well with black.