適当

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 適当(てきとう) can mean either suitable or careless and perfunctory.
• Basic usage: It is used both for choosing a suitable size in cooking and for describing an answer that brushes off a question.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Evaluation depends on context
  • 適当な大きさ means a size suitable for the purpose.
  • In 適当な返事をしてごまかした, the following words about evasion bring out the negative sense of a careless answer.
• Modifying a noun
  • Both senses use 適当な before a noun.