手ごろな

• Reading: てごろな
• Romaji: tegorona
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand, manageable; ごろ (goro) — suitable fit
• Pronunciation: /te.ɡo.ɾo.na/

Meaning

Moderate; reasonable; affordable; handy. Describes something conveniently sized, priced, or suited to one's needs without being excessive.

A na-adjective written with kanji 手 and hiragana ごろ. 手 refers to the hand or what one can handle, and ごろ suggests fit or suitability (as in ちょうどごろ). Used for prices, sizes, distances, and quantities. 手ごろな価格 (tegoro na kakaku) is a very common phrase meaning 'affordable price.' It implies a comfortable middle ground—not too much, not too little.

Examples

1. 週末のお出かけに手ごろな価格のランチビュッフェを見つけた。 I found a reasonably priced lunch buffet for a weekend outing.
2. この包丁はサイズが手ごろで、女性でも扱いやすい。 This kitchen knife is a handy size that is easy for women to handle.
3. 職場からも駅からも手ごろな距離の物件を探している。 I'm looking for a property within a comfortable distance of both work and the station.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, real estate, food, daily life

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 手 (te, hand, what one can handle) and ごろ (goro, suggesting appropriate fit or suitability). The combination conveys the idea of something that fits comfortably within one's grasp—literally or figuratively.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal