そぐわない

そぐわない
expression
to not suit; to not match; to be incompatible with
formalabstract
1. to not suit; to not match; to be incompatible with; to be inappropriate for
Describes something that does not fit, match, or harmonize with a particular context, standard, or expectation. Used almost exclusively in the negative form.
その発言(はつげん)は場(ば)にそぐわない。
That remark doesn't suit the occasion.
時代(じだい)にそぐわない法律(ほうりつ)を見直(みなお)す必要(ひつよう)がある。
We need to review laws that are out of step with the times.
その提案(ていあん)は会社(かいしゃ)の方針(ほうしん)にそぐわないとして却下(きゃっか)された。
The proposal was rejected as being incompatible with company policy.

The negative form of the rare verb そぐう (to suit, to match), which is almost never used in the affirmative in modern Japanese. The expression is formal and commonly appears in written Japanese, news articles, and official statements.

The particle に marks the standard or context that something fails to match.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ふさわしくない: not suitable; not fitting — more common in everyday speech
  • 似合(にあ)わない: to not suit; to not look right on — often used for appearance or personality
  • 適(てき)さない: to not be suitable — formal synonym, used in official contexts
general
Added 2026.4.28 0:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25851_soguwanai