相あい見み積つ

Meanings

competitive bidding; competitive estimates

Refers to the practice of obtaining multiple quotes or bids from different suppliers to compare prices and services. Often used in business and procurement contexts. The full form 相見積もり is also common.

Kanji

相inter-, mutual, together
見see, hopes, chances
積volume, product (x*y), acreage
合fit, suit, join

Related words

相あい見み積つもり
Longer, more formal version of 相見積. Often used interchangeably, but 相見積もり may be preferred in formal documents.
見み積つもり
A general estimate or quote. 相見積 specifically refers to obtaining multiple estimates for comparison.

Written forms

相あい見み積つ
Standard kanji spelling. The most common written form.
合あい見み積つ
Alternate kanji spelling using 合い instead of 相. Less common but still encountered.
相あいみつ
Mixed kanji-kana spelling. Used in less formal contexts.
合あいみつ
Mixed kanji-kana spelling with 合い. Informal variant.

Etymology

Compound of 相 (あい, mutual, together) and 見積 (みつ, estimate). The 相 prefix indicates a reciprocal or comparative action, so 相見積 literally means 'mutual estimates' or 'estimates taken together for comparison'.