具合
also: ぐわい
Meanings
health; physical condition; how one feels
Used for a person's physical condition or feeling of wellness, especially in 具合が悪い, 具合がよくなる, and 具合はどうですか.
I have been feeling unwell since this morning, so I will take the day off.
How is your mother feeling?
Often used in patterns such as こんな具合に or その具合で to describe how something is done or arranged.
Please fold the paper like this.
The discussion proceeded more or less in that manner.
circumstances; convenience; luck
Refers to whether surrounding circumstances happen to work out well or badly; 具合よく can mean conveniently or luckily.
Luckily, the train came as soon as I arrived at the station.
This time is a little inconvenient, so could we do it another day?
propriety; decency; face; dignity
Used when an action or situation is awkward, improper, or bad for appearances, often in 具合が悪い. This overlaps in form with other senses, so context is important.
It is improper to scold a subordinate in front of guests.
If we tell the truth here, it will put him in an awkward position.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の具合を見るto check the condition of something
I had someone check the condition of the engine.
- 具合はどうですかhow are you feeling? (asking about health)
How is your mother feeling?
- 〈事〉という具合にin a manner such that; like this
I spent the day studying English in the morning and reading books at night, that sort of arrangement.
- 具合よく〈動詞〉to do something conveniently or luckily
Luckily, the train came right on time.
- 具合がよくなるto get better; to recover
I felt better after taking the medicine.