(ふてきとう)

ふてきとう
adjective
inappropriate; unsuitable; improper
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(はつげん)不適当(ふてきとう)だ。
That remark is inappropriate.
不適当(ふてきとう)表現(ひょうげん)()けてください。
Please avoid inappropriate expressions.
この方法(ほうほう)今回(こんかい)目的(もくてき)には不適当(ふてきとう)だと判断(はんだん)された。
This method was judged to be unsuitable for the current purpose.

Composed of () (not) + 適当(てきとう) (appropriate, suitable). Note that 適当(てきとう) has two common meanings: "appropriate/suitable" and "careless/halfhearted." 不適当(ふてきとう) negates only the first meaning — it means "not appropriate," never "not careless."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 不適当(ふてきとう)発言(はつげん): inappropriate remark
  • 不適当(ふてきとう)表現(ひょうげん): inappropriate expression
  • 不適当(ふてきとう)判断(はんだん)する: to judge as inappropriate

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 不適切(ふてきせつ): inappropriate — very close in meaning; slightly more common in official or media language
  • 不向(ふむ)き: unsuited — indicates something is not a good fit for a person or purpose
  • 不相応(ふそうおう): unbecoming, not befitting — implies something is above or below one's station or rank