Translation guide
How to express that two people, things, or ideas go well together in Japanese. Covers romantic compatibility, complementary pairings, and well-suited combinations.
Describing two people who are well-suited as a couple or get along very well.
The most common and natural way to say two people are compatible. Used for friends, romantic partners, coworkers, etc.
あの二人は相性がいいね。
Those two are a good match, aren't they?
I think we're a good match.
Often used by others to comment that a couple looks good together. Implies they suit each other visually or socially.
本当にお似合いのカップルだね。
You two really are a good match.
Means 'perfectly matched' or 'just right'. Can be used for people or things.
彼と彼女はぴったりだよ。
He and she are a perfect match.
Describing items, colors, flavors, or abstract things that go well together.
Also used for non-human pairings like food and drink, tools, or concepts.
このワインとチーズは相性がいい。
This wine and cheese are a good match.
A versatile verb meaning 'to match' or 'to go well with'. Often used in the form 〜に合う.
このソースは魚によく合う。
This sauce goes well with fish.
赤は黒に合う。
Red goes well with black.
Emphasizes a perfect fit or match, like a lid for a pot or a solution to a problem.
この箱は本棚にぴったりだ。
This box is a perfect fit for the bookshelf.
Loanword from English 'match'. Used in casual contexts, especially for fashion or design.
そのネクタイ、スーツにマッチしてるね。
That tie matches your suit well.
Saying a person is a good fit for a job, position, or activity.
Means 'suitable person' or 'right person for the job'. Used in professional or formal contexts.
彼はこのプロジェクトに適任だ。
He is a good match for this project.
From the verb 向く (to be suited for). Describes natural aptitude or suitability.
彼女は教師に向いている。
She is well-suited to be a teacher.
Can also be used for roles, meaning 'exactly right'.
この仕事は君にぴったりだ。
This job is a perfect match for you.
Referring to a contest or pairing between opponents that is evenly matched or exciting.
Literally 'good card', used in sports and fighting contexts to describe an attractive matchup.
今日の試合は好カードだ。
Today's game is a good match.
Means a good, close contest. Emphasizes the quality of the competition.
これはいい勝負になりそうだ。
This looks like it's going to be a good match.
相性がいい is specifically about compatibility, often implying a deeper or inherent harmony. 合う is more general and can be used for simple physical or functional matching (e.g., clothes, food combinations). For people, 相性がいい is preferred.
Do not directly translate 'good match' as 良い試合 (yoi shiai) unless you specifically mean a sports match. For compatibility, use 相性がいい or 合う.