Meaning of 適当(てきとう) in Japanese

Reading and JLPT level 適当 JLPT 4

Kana Reading てきとう

Romaji tekitō

Parts of speech

adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi), noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

suitable; proper; appropriate; adequate; fit
Parts of speech

Meaning

noncommittal; vague; equivocal; unserious; irresponsible

Examples of 適当, てきとう in a sentence

「きれいな宝石ですね」、適当な話題かどうかわからないが、とりあえずそう水を向けてみた。

Pretty gem, isn't it? Not knowing if it was a suitable subject or not, but anyway I tried to get her interest that way.
適当に入って勝手にやって。

Come on in and make yourself at home.
適当な語で空所を満たせ。

Fill the blanks with suitable words.
適当な機会があれば、あなたを彼に紹介しよう。

If there is a suitable occasion, I'll introduce you to him.
適当なときに彼にそれを言いましょう。

I will tell it to him at the proper time.
私は適当な答えを探し求めた。

I cast about for a suitable reply.

適 JLPT 3

14 strokes

suitable, occasional, rare, qualified, capable

On'Yomi: テキ

Kun'Yomi: かな.う

当 JLPT 3

6 strokes

hit, right, appropriate, himself

On'Yomi: トウ

Kun'Yomi: あ.たる, あ.たり, あ.てる, あ.て, まさ.に, まさ.にべし