合う To Suit

Meaning

Primary

To Suit

Alternatives

To Come Together, To Meet, To Match

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means suit so the verb version is to suit.

This word also means to come together as well. Presumably when something suits something else, it comes together with it flawlessly. That's why this word also has this other meaning (and it will be important for future vocab as well).

Reading

あう

Explanation

You want to find a pet to suit your personal style, so you get matched with an aardvark (あ). An aardvark will match the ant mounds you use for chairs and couches, it's the perfect match.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 〜が合う

  目が合う

  to make eye contact

  ピントが合う

  to come into focus

  気が合う

  to get along well

• 〜に合う

  自分に合う

  to suit oneself

  口に合う

  to suit one's tastes

  ニーズに合う

  to suit one's needs

Context Sentences

牛肉には赤ワインが合います。

Red wine goes well with beef.

この電話番号で合ってますか？

Is this the right phone number?

アメリカのインド料理は、アメリカ人の口に合うよう、実際のインドでの調理方法とはかなり違った方法で作られている。

Indian cuisine in America is altered quite a bit from how it’s prepared in India to suit American tastes.

Kanji Composition

1. 合

   ごう Suit