suitable

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is てき, and no kun reading is listed. It has 14 strokes and relates to being suitable for a situation or, by context, handling something carelessly.
• Basic usage: 適切 is read てきせつ, and 適当 is read てきとう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 適切 / 適当
  • 適切 means appropriate or suitable and is read てきせつ. It describes words or treatment appropriate to a particular situation.
  • 質問には適切な言葉を選んで答えた。 means “I chose appropriate words to answer the question.”
  • 適当 means suitable or careless and is read てきとう. It can mean suitably sized, or, in another context, careless or perfunctory.
  • 質問に適当な返事をしてごまかした。 means “He brushed off the question with a careless answer.”