If you’ve studied Japanese for a while, chances are 適当てきとう has confused you at least once.

You may have learned that it means “appropriate” or “just right.”
Then one day, a Japanese friend says:

適当てきとうにやっておいて。

And suddenly it sounds like:

“Do it carelessly.”

So… which is it?
Perfect or careless?
The answer is: both are correct — and context decides everything.

The Original Meaning: “Appropriate” or “Just Right”

At its core, 適当てきとう means:

• suitable
• appropriate
• fitting the situation

This meaning comes from the kanji:

• 適てき = suitable, fitting
• 当とう = hitting the mark

So originally, 適当てきとう describes something that fits perfectly.

Examples

• この仕事しごとは彼かれに適当てきとうだ。
  This job is suitable for him.
• 適当てきとうなものを選えらびなさい。
  Choose the most appropriate option. (Common in tests, instructions, and textbooks)

In these cases, 適当てきとう has a positive, almost “perfect” nuance.

How Did It Come to Mean “Careless”?

Over time, 適当てきとう gained a second meaning in casual speech.

When someone says 適当てきとうに, it often means:

• without worrying too much
• roughly
• not seriously or precisely

This doesn’t always mean bad — it can mean “don’t overthink it.”

Examples

• 適当てきとうに選えらんだ。
  I picked one randomly.
• 昼ひるごはんは適当てきとうに済すませた。
  I didn’t put much thought into lunch.

Here, 適当てきとう means not carefully planned.

The Key Difference: Evaluation vs. Attitude

The two meanings feel opposite, but they’re used in different situations.

① When describing a result → “appropriate / perfect”

• Evaluation
• Objective
• Often polite or formal

このサイズが一番適当いちばんてきとうです。
This size is the most suitable.

② When describing how you do something → “careless / casual”

• Attitude
• Casual, conversational
• Often sounds relaxed or lazy

適当てきとうにやっておいて。
You can do it casually.

Why This Confuses Learners

In English, “appropriate” and “careless” are complete opposites.
But in Japanese, 適当てきとう doesn’t judge quality — it describes how closely something matches expectations.

• If expectations are clear and important → 適当てきとう = perfect fit
• If expectations are loose or low → 適当てきとう = good enough / random

A Natural Way to Think About 適当てきとう

Instead of translating it directly, think of 適当てきとう as:

“Right for this situation.”

Sometimes that means carefully chosen.
Sometimes it means not worth worrying about.

Final Tip for Learners

If someone says 適当てきとうでいいよ, don’t panic 😄

適当てきとうでいいよ。

They’re probably saying:

“It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

But if you say これは適当てきとうです,

これは適当てきとうです。

you’re saying:

This is appropriate.

Same word.
Different context.
Very Japanese.

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