適う

かなう

Meanings

1. Godan verb, Intransitive to suit (one's needs, tastes, purpose, etc.); to serve; to meet (one's expectations, wishes, etc.); to measure up to (e.g. one's ideal); to conform to (the law, standards, etc.); to be consistent with (reason, morality, etc.)

Kanji

• 適 suitable. Read as かなう.

Example sentences

• 理に適ってると思う。
  I think it makes sense.
• 確かに、トムの言っていることは、理に適っています。
  What Tom is saying is certainly reasonable.
• トムの言ったことは、理に適っていた。
  What Tom said made sense.
• それって、理に適ってるよね？
  That makes sense, doesn't it?

Common phrases

• 理に適う
• 目的に適う (もくてきにかなう) to serve one's aim
• 道理に適う (どうりにかなう) to stand to reason
• めがねにかなう to win the favour of (favor)

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists