Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
適応 (てきおう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
adaptation ; adjustment ; conformity
Broadly covers adapting to a new environment, situation, or standard. Can be used for biological, social, or personal adjustment. The する form is intransitive (適応する).
生せい 物ぶつ は 環かん 境きょう の 変へん 化か に 適てき 応おう し て 進しん 化か し て き た 。
Living things have evolved by adapting to environmental changes.
Kanji 適 suitable, occasional, rare Similar words 順じゅん 応のう 順応 often implies a more passive or gradual acclimatization, especially to physical conditions (e.g., climate, darkness), while 適応 is broader and includes active adjustment to social or systemic demands.
適てき 合ごう 適合 focuses on meeting a standard, specification, or condition (conformity), whereas 適応 emphasizes the process of adjusting oneself or a system to fit the environment.
Etymology Compound of 適 (suitable, fit) and 応 (respond, apply). The combination conveys the idea of responding appropriately to circumstances, hence 'adaptation'.
