甲乙(こうおつ)

こうおつ
noun
relative merit, ranking, A and B (in contracts)
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(こう)と乙(おつ)は以下(いか)のとおり契約(けいやく)する。
Party A and Party B agree to the following contract.
契約書(けいやくしょ)では売主(うりぬし)を甲(こう)、買主(かいぬし)を乙(おつ)とする。
In the contract, the seller is designated as A and the buyer as B.
乙(おつ)は甲(こう)に対(たい)し毎月(まいつき)報告(ほうこく)する義務(ぎむ)を負(お)う。
Party B is obligated to report to Party A monthly.

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

ORIGIN:
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 EXPRESSION:
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:

  • 優劣(ゆうれつ): superiority and inferiority
  • 比較(ひかく): comparison
general
Added 2026.2.4 23:18
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