適
suitable, occasional, rare, qualified, capable
Readings
On'yomi
- テキ
Kun'yomi
- かな.う
Meaning
適 centers on a good fit between a person or thing and a situation: being suitable, qualified, or capable for a role. The occasional and rare senses extend from the idea of something fitting only in specific, infrequent circumstances.
Most common words using 適
20 of 177- 適当てきとうN4
suitable; proper; appropriate; adequate; fit; fair
- 適用てきようN3
application (of a rule, law, method, etc.)
- 適切てきせつN3
appropriate; suitable; fitting; apt; proper; right; pertinent; relevant
- 快適かいてきN3
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable
- 最適さいてきN2
most suitable; optimum; optimal; best
- 適応てきおうN2
adaptation; accommodation; conformity
- 適正てきせい
reasonable; suitable
- 適するてきするN3
to fit; to suit
- 適合てきごう
conformity; compatibility; adaptability; congruity; congruence
- 不適切ふてきせつN2
unsuitable; inappropriate; improper
- 適度てきどN3
moderate (degree); proper (amount); temperate; suitable
- 適性てきせいN1
aptitude; aptness; suitability
- 適格てきかく
eligible; qualified; competent
- 適量てきりょうN1
proper quantity; suitable amount; proper dose; optimal dose
- 不適合ふてきごう
non-conforming process; noncompliant; incompatible
- 適うかなうN1
to suit (one's needs, tastes, purpose, etc.); to serve; to meet (one's expectations, wishes, etc.); to measure up to (e.g. one's ideal); to conform to (the law, standards, etc.); to be consistent with (reason, morality, etc.)
- 適宜てきぎN1
suitable; appropriate; fitting; proper
- 適時てきじ
timely; opportune
- 適法てきほう
legal; lawful; legitimate
- 適任てきにん
competent; suitable; qualified
Study
Etymology
適 combines 辶 (movement) with 啇, which likely contributes the sound and relates to hitting a target or fitting exactly. The overall idea is moving toward something that fits.
Meaning mnemonic
The movement radical 辶 suggests going somewhere, and the inside part 啇 looks like a target with a mark. Picture an arrow moving along a path and hitting the exact right spot: that is what makes it suitable.
Reading mnemonic
For テキ, imagine a tech expert who is perfectly qualified for the job: tech -> テキ, and their skills fit the role exactly.