適正

• Reading: てきせい
• Romaji: tekisei
• Kanji breakdown: 適 (teki) — suitable, fit, proper; 正 (sei) — correct, proper, right
• Pronunciation: /te.ki.seː/

Meaning

Reasonable; fair; proper. Describes something that is appropriately set or suitably balanced.

A na-adjective meaning reasonable, fair, or properly calibrated. Frequently used in business and administrative contexts to describe prices, standards, and procedures — 適正価格 (fair price), 適正な管理 (proper management), 適正な水準 (appropriate level). Emphasises that something meets an objective standard of fairness or propriety, distinct from 適切 (tekisetsu, which focuses on being fitting for a situation).

Examples

1. この商品の適正価格はいくらだろうか。 I wonder what the fair price for this product would be.
2. 個人情報の適正な管理が求められている。 Proper management of personal information is required.
3. 適正な人員配置で効率が上がった。 Efficiency improved with the right staffing allocation.

Usage Guide

Context: business, law, administration

Tone: professional

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 適 (teki, suitable/fit) + 正 (sei, correct/proper). The compound emphasises that something meets a standard of both suitability and correctness — properly calibrated rather than merely adequate.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional