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釣り合う (つりあう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
balance ; be in equilibrium ; be in harmony
Describes physical or abstract balance: weights, forces, or elements that are equal and stable. Often used with と or に to mark what something balances with.
にゅう
と
支し
出しゅつ
が
釣つ
り
合あ
わ
ない
。
Income and expenses are not in balance.
2
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
suit ; go well together ; be a good match
Used for people, clothes, colors, or things that match well or are compatible. Often appears in the negative form 釣り合わない to indicate a mismatch.
Written forms 釣つ り 合あ う Usage 45%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
つり 合あ う Usage 28%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, also seen in practice.
つりあう Usage 26%
釣つり 合あ う Usage 1%
Variant kanji spelling, less common but still used.
Similar words 似に 合あ う 似合う focuses on looking good on someone or suiting one's appearance, while 釣り合う emphasizes balance, proportion, or compatibility between two things.
調ちょう 和わ する 調和する is more formal and often used for abstract harmony (e.g., with nature), whereas 釣り合う is more concrete and everyday.
Etymology Compound of 釣り (tsuri, 'fishing' or 'hanging') + 合う (au, 'to meet, match'). The original image is of two things hanging in balance, like a scale. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of balance and matching.
