妥当な

• Reading: だとうな
• Romaji: datōna
• Kanji breakdown: 妥 (da) — settled, proper; 当 (tō) — appropriate, fitting
• Pronunciation: /da.to.ː.na/

Meaning

Appropriate; proper; reasonable; valid. Describes something fitting, well-justified, or logically sound given the circumstances.

A na-adjective derived from 妥当 (datō). Used in formal and analytical contexts to assert that a decision, claim, or measure is justifiably correct. Often appears in legal, academic, and business writing. The opposite, 不当 (futō), means unjust or improper.

Examples

1. この提案の価格設定は、市場相場に照らして妥当だと判断した。 We judged the pricing of this proposal to be reasonable in light of market rates.
2. そのような処罰が妥当かどうか、委員会で議論された。 Whether such a punishment was appropriate was debated in the committee.
3. 彼女の言い訳は状況を考えれば妥当なものだった。 Her excuse was reasonable given the circumstances.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, academic writing, debate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 妥 (da, settled, proper) and 当 (tō, appropriate, fitting). The combination conveys the sense of something that lands squarely where it should, both logically and ethically.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated