適

音読おんよみ: テキ

訓読くんよみ: かなう

画数かくすう: 14

部首ぶしゅ: 辶（しんにょう）

Meaning

Suitable / Fit / Appropriate / Match

  • Basic forms
  • 適う — to suit; to be appropriate / base form
  • 適います — suits; is appropriate / masu form
  • 適った — suited; was appropriate / ta-form
  • 適って — suiting; being appropriate and … / te-form
  • 適わない — does not suit / negative
  • 適えば — if it suits / conditional
  • Common uses
  • 条件に適う — meet the conditions
  • 目的に適う — suit the purpose
  • 理想に適った方法 — an appropriate method for the ideal

適う（かなう） is a godan verb. It means “to be suitable” or “to meet a standard or condition.” Do not confuse it with 叶う (a wish comes true) or 敵う (to be a match for).

  • 適当てきとう — suitable / appropriate
  • 適応てきおう — adaptation / compliance
  • 快適かいてき — comfortable
  • 適切てきせつ — appropriate / proper
  • 適性てきせい — aptitude
  • 不適ふてき — unsuitable

The left part of 適 includes 舌 (tongue), while the radical 辶 represents movement or progression. Together, they suggest “moving toward what is suitable” or “matching the right path.” The kanji is used both literally and metaphorically to express fitness, comfort, and suitability.

この靴くつは 私わたしに 適てきしています。
These shoes are a good fit for me.

彼かれは 新あたらしい 環境かんきょうに 適応てきおうできる 能力のうりょくがあります。
He has the ability to adapt to new environments.

当
Creates
適当てきとう — suitable / appropriate
◀︎ Sayings+ ▶︎