Japanese kanji 適: suitable words and comfortable settings

The idea

適 has 14 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 適切（てきせつ） is a na-adjective, as in 適切な言葉. 適する（てきする） is a verb: 仕事に適した人 is a person suited to the job.

Examples

• 適切てきせつな言葉ことばを選えらびます。I choose appropriate words.
• この仕事しごとに適てきした人ひとを探さがしています。We are looking for someone suited to this job.
• 適当てきとうな大おおきさに切きってください。Please cut it to a suitable size.
• この椅子いすは座すわり心地ごこちが快適かいてきです。This chair is comfortable to sit on.
• 環境かんきょうに適応てきおうするのに時間じかんがかかります。It takes time to adapt to the environment.
• 温度おんどを適度てきどに保たもちます。I keep the temperature at a moderate level.

Watch out

適当 can mean suitable, but in other contexts it can mean careless or arbitrary. 快適 describes comfort, not simply suitability.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 適切 in hiragana.

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   てきせつ

   適切 is てきせつ: 適切な言葉 means appropriate words. Remember the reading with the compound.

2. Write the reading of 快適 in hiragana.

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   かいてき

   快適 is かいてき: it describes a comfortable chair or environment.

3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿応（てきおう）［適／敵］.

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   適

   適 completes 適応（てきおう）, adaptation. 敵 means enemy and is a different character.

Use it today

Write 適 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 適切 and 快適, then make a sentence with 適した.