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不相応 (ふそうおう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
unsuited ; inappropriate ; out of proportion ; undeserved
Describes something that does not match a person's status, ability, income, age, occasion, or circumstances. Often used as 不相応な or in the pattern Xに不相応な.
場ば
に
不ふ
相そう
応おう
な
服ふく
装そう
で
現あらわ
れ
た
。
She showed up in clothes inappropriate for the occasion.
Kanji 相 inter-, mutual, together Similar words 相そう 応おう The positive counterpart meaning suitable, appropriate, or proportionate.
分ぶん 不ふ 相そう 応おう A common expression meaning beyond one's means or station; narrower and more idiomatic than 不相応.
不ふ 適てき 切せつ Means inappropriate or improper in a broader sense, especially for behavior, wording, or handling; it does not necessarily imply mismatch with status or circumstances.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound formed from 不, a negative prefix, and 相応, meaning suitability or proportion. The spelling transparently conveys 'not suitable' or 'not proportionate.'
