Yuka具合 vs 都合 — both read differently but are easy to mix up! One is about physical condition, the other about convenience and scheduling. Let's clear this up once and for all!
ReiThese two words come up all the time in everyday Japanese — especially when talking about health and schedules. The distinction is subtle but important.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 具合 | ぐあい | Condition, state (especially physical) | How something/someone is functioning — often health |
| 都合 | つごう | Convenience, schedule, circumstances | Whether something fits your plans or schedule |
具合 (ぐあい) — Physical Condition / State
具合 describes the state or condition of something — most commonly a person's physical health, but also the condition of machines or situations.
- 具合が悪い — feeling unwell / not in good shape
- 具合がいい — feeling good / working well
- 具合を聞く — to ask how someone is feeling
- 機械の具合が悪い — the machine isn't working well
Yuka最近具合が悪くて、病院に行ってきた。
I haven't been feeling well lately, so I went to the hospital.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 具合はどうですか？ | How are you feeling? / How is your condition? |
| 具合が悪そうですね。 | You don't look well. |
| この機械、具合が悪いんです。 | This machine isn't working properly. |
| 具合よく収まった。 | It fit nicely / It worked out well. |
都合 (つごう) — Convenience / Schedule
都合 is about whether something is convenient or fits your schedule. It has nothing to do with physical condition — it's purely about timing, availability, and circumstances.
- 都合がいい — convenient, works well (schedule-wise)
- 都合が悪い — inconvenient, doesn't work
- 都合をつける — to make time / arrange one's schedule
- ご都合は？— What works for you? / How's your schedule?
ReiNote: both 具合が悪い and 都合が悪い translate as “not good” in English, but they mean completely different things: 具合が悪い = feeling physically unwell; 都合が悪い = schedule doesn't work. Context matters!
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| その日は都合が悪いです。 | That day doesn't work for me. |
| ご都合のいい日を教えてください。 | Please let me know a day that works for you. |
| 都合をつけて参加します。 | I'll arrange my schedule to attend. |
Side-by-Side: 具合が悪い vs 都合が悪い
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 具合が悪い | Feeling unwell / not working properly (physical/mechanical) |
| 都合が悪い | Inconvenient / doesn't fit the schedule |
| 具合がいい | Feeling good / working well |
| 都合がいい | Convenient / works with the schedule |
Quick Quiz
Choose 具合 or 都合:
- 「明日は___が悪くて、病院に行きます」→ 具合 (feeling unwell)
- 「その日は___が悪いので、別の日にできますか？」→ 都合 (schedule conflict)
- 「___のいい日に連絡します」→ 都合 (convenient time)
- 「機械の___が悪くて動かない」→ 具合 (machine condition)
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