na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
according to one's means; appropriate to one's position; reasonable share
Used for contributions, responsibilities, or burdens that are fair and proportionate to one's ability, status, or resources. Often appears in formal or business contexts.
応分の負担をお願いします。
We ask you to bear a fair share of the burden.
Each member is expected to bear a fair, proportionate share of the burden.
Each company needs to cooperate according to its capacity.
Managers should take on responsibility proportionate to their position.
They asked each company to make a donation appropriate to its means.
Profits are divided proportionately according to each person's investment.
分相応 emphasizes living or behaving within one's own social standing or means, whereas 応分 refers more objectively to a proportionate share of a burden or duty.
不相応 describes something disproportionate or unfitting to one's status, the opposite of the fair, proportionate share implied by 応分.
Compound of 応 (おう, 'respond' or 'correspond') and 分 (ぶん, 'portion' or 'share'), literally meaning 'corresponding share'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of a fair or proportionate share.