Meaning of 适当
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- suitable; appropriate
How to use 适当
适当 often describes amounts, actions, or timing that are just right, and it is common in formal or written advice. It often comes right before a verb as an adverb. Example: 你应该适当休息。(Nǐ yīnggāi shìdàng xiūxi.) You should rest a reasonable amount.
适 (shì) means to fit, as in 适合 (shìhé), and 当 (dàng) here means proper or right. Something that fits and is proper is 适当, suitable or appropriate.
Common mistake: Learners often read 当 here as dāng, but in 适当 it is the fourth tone, dàng, unlike 当时 (dāngshí) or 当中 (dāngzhōng). Also, do not use 适当 for clothes that fit your body. Use 合适 (héshì) for that.
适当 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
适 shì · match · 9 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 7
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- 9
当 dāng · to be · 6 strokes
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- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 适当.
| 当时 | dāngshí | then; at that time |
| 合适 | héshì | suitable; fitting; appropriate |
| 当然 | dāngrán | only natural; as it should be |
| 适合 | shìhé | to fit; to suit |
| 相当 | xiāngdāng | equivalent to; appropriate |
| 当中 | dāngzhōng | among; in the middle |
| 当地 | dāngdì | local |
| 当初 | dāngchū | at that time; originally |
| 适应 | shìyìng | to adapt; to fit |
| 应当 | yīngdāng | should; ought to |
| 适用 | shìyòng | to be applicable |
| 舒适 | shūshì | cozy; snug |
Questions about 适当
What does 适当 mean?
适当 (shìdàng) means "suitable; appropriate" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 适当?
适当 is made of 2 characters: 适 (9 strokes), 当 (6 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 适当 an HSK word?
Yes. 适当 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 适当 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 适当 is written 適當.
What is the difference between 适当 and 合适?
合适 (héshì) is everyday and describes something that suits a person or situation, like shoes or a job. 适当 is more formal and usually describes a degree, method, or amount being appropriate, as in 适当的时候 (shìdàng de shíhou), the right time.
Can 适当 be used directly before a verb?
Yes. It often works like an adverb meaning to an appropriate degree, as in 适当运动 (shìdàng yùndòng), exercise moderately. You can also use it before a noun with 的, as in 适当的方法 (shìdàng de fāngfǎ), a suitable method.