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) 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

In contracts

  • 甲(こう): Party A (often the more powerful party)
  • 乙(おつ): Party B
  • Sometimes extended: 丙(へい) (C), 丁(てい) (D)

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 2026.9.2 13:01
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