How common it is
适当 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say shìdàng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“适当”的意思是合适、恰当，通常用来形容行为、数量或程度刚刚好。
“Shìdàng” de yìsi shì héshì, qiàdàng, tōngcháng yòng lái xíngróng xíngwéi, shùliàng huò chéngdù gāng gāng hǎo.
“Appropriate” means suitable or proper, usually used to describe behavior, quantity, or degree that is just right.
Context note
在日常生活里，我们经常用“适当”来提醒别人做事情要把握好分寸，比如吃饭要适当，运动也要适当。
Zài rìcháng shēnghuó lǐ, wǒmen jīngcháng yòng “shìdàng” lái tíxǐng biérén zuò shìqing yào bǎwò hǎo fèncùn, bǐrú chīfàn yào shìdàng, yùndòng yě yào shìdàng.
In daily life, we often use “appropriate” to remind others to maintain proper limits, such as eating appropriately and exercising appropriately.
5 examples
老师给了我们适当的休息时间。
lǎo shī gěi le wǒ men shì dàng de xiū xi shí jiān。
The teacher gave us an appropriate amount of rest time.
穿衣服要适当，不能太厚也不能太薄。
chuān yī fu yào shì dàng， bù néng tài hòu yě bù néng tài báo。
Dressing should be appropriate, not too thick nor too thin.
他说话的声音很适当，大家都能听清楚。
tā shuō huà de shēng yīn hěn shì dàng， dà jiā dōu néng tīng qīng chǔ。
His speaking voice is very appropriate, so everyone can hear clearly.
妈妈告诉我，玩游戏的时间要适当。
mā ma gào sù wǒ， wán yóu xì de shí jiān yào shì dàng。
Mom told me that the time for playing games should be appropriate.
这个礼物送给他很适当，因为他喜欢画画。
zhè ge lǐ wù sòng gěi tā hěn shì dàng， yīn wèi tā xǐ huan huà huà。
This gift is appropriate for him because he likes drawing.
5 mini stories
小明在公园里玩，他跑得很快。妈妈提醒他要适当休息。
xiǎo míng zài gōng yuán lǐ wán， tā pǎo dé hěn kuài。 mā ma tí xǐng tā yào shì dàng xiū xi。
Xiao Ming played in the park and ran very fast. Mom reminded him to rest appropriately.
小红画画时用了很多颜色。老师说她用色很适当。
xiǎo hóng huà huà shí yòng le hěn duō yán sè。 lǎo shī shuō tā yòng sè hěn shì dàng。
Xiao Hong used many colors when drawing. The teacher said her use of colors was appropriate.
小刚吃饭时吃得太快了。爸爸告诉他吃饭速度要适当。
xiǎo gāng chī fàn shí chī dé tài kuài le。 bà ba gào sù tā chī fàn sù dù yào shì dàng。
Xiao Gang ate too fast during the meal. Dad told him the eating speed should be appropriate.
小丽在课堂上回答问题。她的答案很适当，老师表扬了她。
xiǎo lì zài kè táng shàng huí dá wèn tí。 tā de dá àn hěn shì dàng， lǎo shī biǎo yáng le tā。
Xiao Li answered questions in class. Her answer was appropriate, and the teacher praised her.
小华养了一只小狗。他每天给小狗适当的食物和水。
xiǎo huá yǎng le yì zhī xiǎo gǒu。 tā měi tiān gěi xiǎo gǒu shì dàng de shí wù hé shuǐ。
Xiao Hua has a puppy. He gives the puppy appropriate food and water every day.