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适当 (shì dàng) — suitable; appropriate

Definition

A more formal, written register of 'suitable, appropriate,' commonly used in formal writing and instructions. Compared to the everyday 合适, 适当 sounds more formal and emphasizes the right degree or timing rather than a basic fit.

adjective
suitableappropriate

Examples

  • 适当适当。
    Wǒ men yào zài shì dàng de shí jiān zuò shì dàng de shì qing.
    We need to do the right things at the right time.
  • ，适当。
    Gōng zuò suī rán máng, yě yào shì dàng xiū xi.
    Even if work is busy, you still need to rest appropriately.
  • ，。
    Zhè ge jì huà bú shì dàng, xū yào xiū gǎi.
    This plan is not suitable; it needs revision.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

适shìfit
当dāngproper

适 and 当 both mean fit and proper, so together they say something is suitable.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 適; 适 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
啻
啻chì適shì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 適 pairs 辶 (walking) with a sound part; its inner part was originally 啻 and was stylized into 啇. The simplified 适 is a later variant.

Open 适 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Good & Bad

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