相対(そうたい)

そうたい
noun
relative, relativity
academic
1. relative, comparative
Existing or considered in relation to something else, not absolute. The opposite of 絶対(ぜったい) (absolute). Used in philosophy, science, and general discussion.
幸福(こうふく)は相対(そうたい)的(てき)なものだ。
Happiness is relative.
相対(そうたい)的(てき)に見(み)れば、日本(にほん)の物価(ぶっか)は高(たか)い。
Relatively speaking, prices in Japan are high.
絶対(ぜったい)的(てき)な基準(きじゅん)はなく、すべては相対(そうたい)的(てき)に判断(はんだん)される。
There is no absolute standard — everything is judged relatively.

Usage

Most commonly appears in the adjectival form 相対(そうたい)的(てき)（な） meaning 'relative.' The antonym is 絶対(ぜったい) (absolute). Also used in scientific contexts: 相対(そうたい)性(せい)理論(りろん) is Einstein's theory of relativity.

Note: The reading そうたい means 'relative.' The same kanji can also be read あいたい, meaning 'face-to-face, mutual confrontation,' but that is a separate word.

Common collocations

  • 相対(そうたい)的(てき): relative, comparative
  • 相対(そうたい)性(せい): relativity
  • 相対(そうたい)的(てき)に見(み)る: to view relatively
  • 相対(そうたい)評価(ひょうか): relative evaluation (grading on a curve)

Related Words

Antonym: 絶対(ぜったい) (absolutely)
general
Added 2026.2.26 22:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13713_soutai