具合

• Reading: ぐあい
• Romaji: guai
• Kanji breakdown: 具 (gu) — tool, ingredient; 合 (ai) — fit, match
• Pronunciation: /gɯ.a.i/

Meaning

Condition; state; health. How something or someone is doing.

Used for both physical health (体の具合) and the condition of objects or situations (機械の具合). 具合が悪い can mean feeling sick or that something is broken/not working well.

Examples

1. 具合が悪いので休みます。 I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to take the day off.
2. パソコンの具合が悪い。 My computer isn't working right.
3. お母さんの具合はどうですか。 How is your mother feeling?

Usage Guide

Context: health, condition of things, daily conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 具 (tool, ingredient) and 合 (fit, match). Originally described how well parts fit together.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal