うってつけ

う

っ

て

つ

け

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun

ideal; perfect; just right

usually written using kana alone

Describes something that is exactly suited for a particular purpose, person, or situation. Often used in the pattern ～にうってつけ.

この仕し事ごとは彼かれにうってつけだ。
This job is perfect for him.
この本ほんは初しょ心しん者しゃにうってつけの入にゅう門もん書しょです。
This book is an ideal introduction for beginners.

See all 10 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉にうってつけだto be ideal/just right for (a purpose)
この公こう園えんは子こ供どもの遊あそび場ばにうってつけだ。
This park is perfect as a playground for children.
〈人ひと〉にうってつけの〈物もの〉the ideal ~ for someone
これは初しょ心しん者しゃにうってつけの教きょう科か書しょです。
This is the perfect textbook for beginners.
〈人ひと〉にうってつけの役やくthe role that suits someone perfectly
その役やくは彼かの女じょにうってつけの役やくだった。
That role was absolutely perfect for her.

Kanji

打strike, hit, knock
付adhere, attach, refer to

Related words

ぴったりN3
ぴったり is a broad word for something fitting exactly (size, timing, taste), while うってつけ specifically means ideal for a purpose or role.
最さい適てきN2
最適 is a formal, often technical word for 'optimal', while うってつけ is a colloquial everyday expression with the same meaning.
持もってこいN1
もってこい and うってつけ are both casual expressions for 'perfectly suited', used almost interchangeably in speech.
好こう適てき
好適 is a bookish, written-style word for 'well-suited', whereas うってつけ is used in everyday conversation.

Opposites

不ふ向むき
不向き describes something unsuited for a purpose, the opposite of うってつけ meaning ideally suited.

Written forms

うってつけUsage83%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spellings 打ってつけ and 打って付け are rare.
打うってつけUsage15%
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.
打うって付つけUsage2%
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 打つ (うつ, 'to hit') in the て-form plus つける ('to attach'), literally 'hit and attach', implying something that fits perfectly as if struck into place. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the expression is now a fixed adjectival noun.