適 (shì) - Suitable, appropriate, fit & to go to, to reach

適Tone 4

shì ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

適 · shì

Suitable, appropriate, fit;

to go to, to reach;

to follow, to comply with;

comfortable, well;

just now.

Suitable, appropriate, fitto go to, to reachto follow, to comply with

Usage highlights

SuitableAdaptComfortableAppropriateFitGo to

Synonyms

  • 宜— suitable, appropriate
  • 合— fit, match
  • 當— proper, appropriate

Antonyms

  • 違— violate, disobey
  • 逆— contrary, oppose
  • 悖— perverse, erroneous

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This dress is very suitable for the occasion (很適宜).
  • He adapted well to the new environment (適應).
  • The temperature in this room is very comfortable (舒適).
  • She will go abroad to study (適國外).

Collocations

  • Suitable(適宜)
  • Adapt(適應)
  • Comfortable(舒適)
  • Appropriate(適當)
  • Fit(適合)
  • Go to(適往)

Idioms

  • To suit both refined and popular taste(雅俗共適)
  • To act as the occasion demands(適時而動)
  • To be just right(適得其宜)
  • To go with the stream(適隨其流)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to go to' or 'to reach', later extended to mean 'suitable' or 'fitting'.
  • In classical Chinese philosophy, '適' represents the concept of harmony and appropriateness in accordance with natural order.
  • Used in both literal (travel) and abstract (suitability) contexts throughout Chinese literary history.

FAQ