(にあ)

にあう
verb (godan)
to suit, to match, to become
1. to suit, to look good on
For something to be appropriate for someone's appearance.
その(ふく)(きみ)似合(にあ)う。
Those clothes suit you.
(あか)彼女(かのじょ)似合(にあ)っている。
Red looks good on her.
その髪型(かみがた)似合(にあ)うね。
That hairstyle suits you.
眼鏡(めがね)似合(にあ)う。
Glasses suit you.
帽子(ぼうし)似合(にあ)っている。
The hat looks good on you.
(かれ)年齢(ねんれい)似合(にあ)わず(わか)()える。
He looks young for his age.
2. to match, to go well with
For things to harmonize well together.
二人(ふたり)はお似合(にあ)いだ。
The two of them are well matched.
ワインと}{チーズ}は{似合(にあ)う。
Wine and cheese go well together.
この(いろ)部屋(へや)似合(にあ)う。
This color matches the room.
(くろ)(くつ)(くろ)かばん}がよく{似合(にあ)っている。
The black shoes and black bag go well together.
あの二人(ふたり)はいつも一緒(いっしょ)にいて、本当(ほんとう)にお似合(にあ)いのカップルだ。
Those two are always together — they're really a well-matched couple.

似合(にあ)う means to suit, match, or look good on someone.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)
  • Takes に particle for the person/thing being suited

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜に似合(にあ)う: to suit ~, to look good on ~
  • 似合(にあ)いの二人(ふたり): a well-matched couple
  • (とし)似合(にあ)わず: contrary to one's age
  • 〜に似合(にあ)わない: doesn't suit ~

ASPECT (ている):
似合(にあ)っている describes the current state of something suiting well: その(ふく)似合(にあ)っているよ (Those clothes look good on you).

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 似合(にあ)い: suitability, match (noun)
  • 似合(にあ)い: well-matched (polite, often for couples)
  • 似合(にあ)いの: suitable, matching (attributive)