相そう当とうな注ちゅう意い

Meanings

due diligence; reasonable care

Legal and formal phrase referring to the level of care or diligence that a reasonable person would exercise under the circumstances. Often used in contexts of liability, contracts, or professional responsibility.

Kanji

相inter-, mutual, together
当hit, right, appropriate
注pour, irrigate, shed (tears)
意idea, mind, heart

Related words

注ちゅう意い義ぎ務む
注意義務 (duty of care) is the legal obligation itself, while 相当な注意 describes the standard of care required.
善ぜん管かん注ちゅう意い義ぎ務む
善管注意義務 (duty of care of a good manager) is a specific legal concept under Japanese civil law, often used in corporate and trust contexts, whereas 相当な注意 is a more general term for reasonable care.

Built from

相そう当とう+注ちゅう意い

Etymology

Compound of 相当 (そうとう, 'appropriate, reasonable') + な (attributive form of copula) + 注意 (ちゅうい, 'care, attention'). The phrase is a direct translation of English legal terms such as 'due diligence' and 'reasonable care'.