恰当 (qiàdàng)

恰当 means appropriate, fitting, or suitable, describing something that is exactly right or well-matched for a given context, situation, or purpose.

Meanings

[adjective] appropriate; suitable; proper; fitting (exactly right for the situation)

Example Sentences

他用了一个非常恰当的比喻来解释这个复杂的科学概念，让大家一下子就明白了。 Tā yòngle yī gè fēicháng qiàdàng de bǐyù lái jiěshì zhège fùzá de kēxué gàiniàn, ràng dàjiā yīxiàzi jiù míngbáile. He used a very appropriate metaphor to explain this complex scientific concept, and everyone understood it immediately.

在正式场合，选择恰当的着装是对他人的一种尊重。 Zài zhèngshì chǎnghé, xuǎnzé qiàdàng de zhuózhuāng shì duì tārén de yī zhǒng zūnzhòng. In formal settings, choosing appropriate attire is a form of respect for others.

这位经理处理冲突的方式非常恰当，既解决了问题，又照顾了各方的面子。 Zhè wèi jīnglǐ chǔlǐ chōngtū de fāngshì fēicháng qiàdàng, jì jiějuéle wèntí, yòu zhàogùle gè fāng de miànzi. The manager handled the conflict in a very appropriate way, both solving the problem and saving face for all parties.

老师认为这个词用在这里不太恰当，建议我换一个更准确的表达。 Lǎoshī rènwéi zhège cí yòng zài zhèlǐ bù tài qiàdàng, jiànyì wǒ huàn yī gè gèng zhǔnquè de biǎodá. The teacher felt that this word was not quite appropriate here and suggested I use a more accurate expression.

找到恰当的时机向领导提出建议，往往比建议本身更重要。 Zhǎodào qiàdàng de shíjī xiàng lǐngdǎo tíchū jiànyì, wǎngwǎng bǐ jiànyì běnshēn gèng zhòngyào. Finding the appropriate moment to make a suggestion to a superior is often more important than the suggestion itself.

这首诗的语言十分恰当，每一个字都准确地传达了作者的情感。 Zhè shǒu shī de yǔyán shífēn qiàdàng, měi yī gè zì dōu zhǔnquè de chuándá le zuòzhě de qínggǎn. The language of this poem is extremely fitting; every character accurately conveys the author's emotions.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
恰当的比喻	an appropriate metaphor/analogy
恰当的措辞	appropriate wording
恰当的时机	appropriate timing; the right moment
处理得恰当	handled appropriately
不太恰当	not quite appropriate
恰当地表达	to express appropriately

Usage Notes

恰当 is an adjective meaning "exactly fitting" or "just right." It is stronger than 合适 (suitable/appropriate), which simply means something is acceptable or fitting. 恰当 implies a higher degree of precision, suggesting something is not just adequate but perfectly suited to the context.

In written and formal Chinese, 恰当 is commonly used to evaluate word choice (措辞), analogies (比喻), timing (时机), and actions (处理方式). Its opposite is 不恰当 (inappropriate) or 失当 (improper/misjudged).

Memory Hook

恰 (exactly/just right) + 当 (suitable/fitting) — 恰当 is when something is exactly right and fitting for its purpose.