甲乙(こうおつ)

こうおつ
noun
relative merit, ranking, A and B (in contracts)
formalabstractlawevaluation
1. relative merit, superiority/inferiority, ranking difference
The difference in quality or rank between two things; used to discuss whether one is better than another.
甲乙(こうおつ)つけがたい。
Hard to say which is better.
二人(ふたり)の実力(じつりょく)には甲乙(こうおつ)がない。
There's no difference in ability between the two.
両案(りょうあん)は甲乙(こうおつ)つけがたい内容(ないよう)だ。
Both proposals are of comparable quality.
2. Party A and Party B (in contracts)
Designations for the two parties in a contract or agreement.
甲乙(こうおつ)双方(そうほう)の合意(ごうい)により契約(けいやく)を変更(へんこう)する。
The contract is amended by agreement of both Party A and Party B.
この契約(けいやく)は甲乙(こうおつ)協議(きょうぎ)の上(うえ)、更新(こうしん)する。
This contract will be renewed after consultation between Party A and Party B.
甲乙(こうおつ)いずれかが契約(けいやく)に違反(いはん)した場合(ばあい)、相手方(あいてがた)は契約(けいやく)を解除(かいじょ)できる。
If either Party A or Party B breaches the contract, the other party may terminate it.

甲乙(こうおつ) has two distinct uses: comparing merit and contract designations.

Etymology

甲(こう) and 乙(おつ) are the first two of the ten Heavenly Stems (十干(じっかん)) from ancient Chinese ordinal systems.

Common expressions

甲乙(こうおつ)つけがたい: hard to rank, equally good/bad

USAGE (in contracts):

Related words

Related Words

Related: 優劣(ゆうれつ) (superiority and inferiority)
Related: 比較(ひかく) (comparison)
general
Added 2026.2.4 23:18 · Revised 2026.10.6 16:39
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