1.
inappropriate; unsuitable; improper
Not fitting or suitable for a particular purpose, situation, or standard. Used in formal contexts to indicate that something does not meet the required criteria.
その発言は不適当だ。
That remark is inappropriate.
不適当な表現は避けてください。
Please avoid inappropriate expressions.
この方法は今回の目的には不適当だと判断された。
This method was judged to be unsuitable for the current purpose.
Composed of 不 (not) + 適当 (appropriate, suitable). Note that 適当 has two common meanings: "appropriate/suitable" and "careless/halfhearted." 不適当 negates only the first meaning — it means "not appropriate," never "not careless."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不適当な発言: inappropriate remark
- 不適当な表現: inappropriate expression
- 不適当と判断する: to judge as inappropriate
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 不適切: inappropriate — very close in meaning; slightly more common in official or media language
- 不向き: unsuited — indicates something is not a good fit for a person or purpose
- 不相応: unbecoming, not befitting — implies something is above or below one's station or rank