適当(てきとう)

てきとう
na-adjective, noun
suitable; sloppy
1. suitable, appropriate, proper
Fitting or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.
この部屋(へや)は会議(かいぎ)に適当(てきとう)だ。
This room is suitable for meetings.
適当(てきとう)な大(おお)きさに切(き)ってください。
Please cut it to an appropriate size.
適当(てきとう)な運動(うんどう)は健康(けんこう)に良(よ)いと言(い)われている。
It is said that moderate exercise is good for your health.
この仕事(しごと)に適当(てきとう)な人(ひと)を探(さが)しているのですが、なかなか見(み)つかりません。
I'm looking for a suitable person for this job, but I can't seem to find one.
子供(こども)の年齢(ねんれい)に適当(てきとう)な本(ほん)を選(えら)んであげたいのですが、どれがいいか教(おし)えてもらえますか。
I'd like to choose a book that's appropriate for my child's age — could you tell me which one would be good?
2. random, sloppy, half-hearted
Done without much thought or care; careless or irresponsible (often negative).
適当(てきとう)なことを言(い)うな。
Don't say random things.
適当(てきとう)に答(こた)えないでください。
Please don't answer carelessly.
適当(てきとう)な理由(りゆう)をつけて断(ことわ)ってしまった。
I made up some random excuse and turned it down.
仕事(しごと)を適当(てきとう)にやっていると、いつか大(おお)きな失敗(しっぱい)をするよ。
If you keep doing your work sloppily, you'll make a big mistake someday.
あの人(ひと)はいつも適当(てきとう)なことを言(い)うから、誰(だれ)も本気(ほんき)で話(はなし)を聞(き)かなくなってしまった。
That person always says random things, so nobody takes what they say seriously anymore.

適当(てきとう) has two nearly opposite meanings depending on context.

SENSE 1 (positive): Suitable, appropriate

  • 適当(てきとう)な人(ひと): suitable person
  • 適当(てきとう)な値段(ねだん): reasonable price

SENSE 2 (negative): Careless, sloppy

  • 適当(てきとう)にやる: to do carelessly
  • 適当(てきとう)な仕事(しごと): sloppy work

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 適切(てきせつ): appropriate (always positive, more formal)
  • いい加減(かげん): half-hearted, irresponsible

Context is key to understanding which meaning is intended.

Related Words

Contrast: 適切(てきせつ) (appropriate (always positive))
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:28 · Revised 2026.4.2 14:09
01500/01674_tekitou