Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
妥当 (だとう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
valid ; appropriate ; reasonable
Describes a decision, argument, price, or method as being logically sound, fair, or suitable for the situation. Often used in formal or evaluative contexts.
この
価か
格かく
は
妥だ
当とう
な
線せん
だろう
。
This price seems about right.
Kanji 妥 gentle, peace, satisfactory Similar words 適てき 切せつ 適切 focuses on being suitable or fitting for a specific purpose or situation, while 妥当 emphasizes logical validity, fairness, or reasonableness in a broader sense.
正せい 当とう 正当 means 'just' or 'rightful' with a stronger moral or legal connotation, whereas 妥当 is more about practical appropriateness and soundness.
Etymology The kanji 妥 (gentle, peace) and 当 (hit, right) combine to suggest something that 'hits the mark peacefully' or is 'appropriately settled.' The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in Japanese to mean 'valid' or 'reasonable' since at least the early modern period.
