Usage patterns 〈 話はなし 〉 のつじつまが 合あ う for a story/account to be consistent, to add up
His story doesn't add up.
つじつまを 合あ わせる to make things consistent, esp. to patch up inconsistencies (as in a lie)
After telling the lie, I had a hard time making everything add up.
つじつまが 合あ わない for things not to add up, to be inconsistent
The two people's testimonies don't match up.
Kanji 辻 crossing, crossroad, street corners Related words 一貫性 is a more formal term for logical consistency used in academic or business contexts, while つじつま is the everyday word focused on details matching up in a story or explanation.
整合性 is a formal, often technical term for internal logical fit (e.g. in data or arguments), while つじつま is more colloquial and centers on whether the pieces of a story or excuse line up.
筋 refers to the logical thread or storyline itself (筋が通る = to make sense), while つじつま specifically means the matching-up of details within that story.
Written forms つじつま Usage 58%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 辻褄 is also used but less common.
辻つじ 褄つま Usage 41%
Kanji form; 辻 means 'crossroads' and 褄 means 'skirt hem', together suggesting things that should meet or match.
ツジツマ Usage 1%
Etymology From 辻 (crossroads) and 褄 (skirt hem), both of which should align properly; the combination metaphorically refers to things fitting together logically.
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