Examples by Level
Il cibo è adeguato.
The food is adequate.
Simple present tense, subject-verb agreement.
Non è adeguato.
It is not adequate.
Negation with 'non'.
La risposta non è adeguata.
The answer is not adequate.
Feminine singular agreement of 'adeguata'.
Il vestito è adeguato per la festa.
The dress is suitable for the party.
'per' means 'for'.
Le scarpe non sono adeguate per la montagna.
The shoes are not suitable for the mountain.
Feminine plural agreement of 'adeguate'.
Questo tavolo è adeguato per due persone.
This table is adequate for two people.
Masculine singular agreement of 'adeguato'.
La quantità è adeguata.
The quantity is adequate.
Feminine singular agreement of 'adeguata'.
È un prezzo adeguato.
It is an adequate price.
Masculine singular agreement of 'adeguato'.
La sua risposta non è stata adeguata alle aspettative del professore, mancando di profondità analitica.
His answer was not adequate for the professor's expectations, lacking analytical depth.
Here 'adeguata' is used with 'alle aspettative' (to the expectations).
Nonostante l'impegno, le risorse disponibili non erano adeguate a completare il progetto nei tempi previsti.
Despite the effort, the available resources were not adequate to complete the project within the scheduled time.
'adeguate' agrees in number and gender with 'risorse' (resources).
È fondamentale che la preparazione atletica sia adeguata alla complessità della competizione.
It is fundamental that the athletic preparation is adequate for the complexity of the competition.
'adeguata' modifies 'preparazione' (preparation).
Per un'alimentazione equilibrata, è essenziale un apporto adeguato di vitamine e minerali.
For a balanced diet, an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is essential.
'adeguato' agrees with 'apporto' (intake).
Il riscaldamento globale richiede una risposta politica adeguata e tempestiva da parte di tutte le nazioni.
Global warming requires an adequate and timely political response from all nations.
'adeguata' and 'tempestiva' both modify 'risposta' (response).
La tecnologia moderna offre soluzioni adeguate per la gestione efficiente dei dati aziendali.
Modern technology offers adequate solutions for efficient corporate data management.
'adeguate' modifies 'soluzioni' (solutions).
Non ha ritenuto che il compenso proposto fosse adeguato al suo livello di esperienza e professionalità.
He did not consider the proposed compensation to be adequate for his level of experience and professionalism.
'adeguato' refers to 'compenso' (compensation).
Affinché un sistema educativo sia efficace, è indispensabile che sia adeguato alle esigenze attuali del mercato del lavoro.
For an educational system to be effective, it is indispensable that it is adequate for the current needs of the job market.
'adeguato' modifies 'sistema educativo' (educational system).
Often Confused With
While 'sufficiente' means 'enough,' 'adeguato' implies something more fitting or appropriate, not just meeting a minimum.
Both mean 'appropriate,' but 'appropriato' often refers to social/conventional correctness, while 'adeguato' can be broader for quality/quantity suitability.
'Idoneo' often implies being qualified or fit for a specific purpose or role, whereas 'adeguato' is more general for something being suitable in quality or quantity.
Easily Confused
Both 'adeguato' and 'sufficiente' can mean 'enough' or 'adequate.' However, 'sufficiente' often implies a minimum requirement, while 'adeguato' suggests something more fitting or appropriate for a specific situation.
'Sufficiente' indicates 'just enough,' meeting a basic threshold. 'Adeguato' means 'suitable,' 'appropriate,' or 'well-matched' to a situation, which can be more than just enough.
Il cibo era sufficiente per tutti. (The food was sufficient for everyone - meaning there was just enough.) / La risposta era adeguata alla domanda. (The answer was appropriate for the question - meaning it was a good, fitting answer.)
These two words are very close in meaning and often interchangeable, both translating to 'appropriate' or 'suitable.' The confusion lies in subtle nuances of usage.
While often synonyms, 'appropriato' leans slightly more towards social or conventional correctness, or fitting a specific context. 'Adeguato' can be broader, referring to quality, quantity, or suitability.
È un vestito adeguato per il colloquio. (It's a suitable dress for the interview - focusing on its quality/appropriateness for the event.) / Il suo comportamento non era appropriato. (His behavior was not appropriate - focusing on social correctness.)
'Consono' is another synonym for 'appropriate' or 'suitable,' especially when referring to something that is in harmony with or consistent with something else. It can be easily confused with 'adeguato' due to overlapping meanings.
'Consono' often carries a sense of being in agreement or in keeping with something, emphasizing harmony or consistency. 'Adeguato' is more general for 'suitable' or 'sufficient.'
Il suo stile di vita è consono alla sua professione. (His lifestyle is consistent with his profession.) / Il prezzo è adeguato alla qualità. (The price is adequate/suitable for the quality.)
'Idoneo' means 'suitable' or 'fit for purpose,' often implying a qualification or capability. This can overlap with 'adeguato' when talking about someone or something being suitable for a role or task.
'Idoneo' often refers to being qualified, capable, or fit for a specific role, task, or condition, often with a legal or formal connotation. 'Adeguato' is more general, referring to something being appropriate in quality or quantity.
È idoneo per il lavoro. (He is suitable/qualified for the job.) / L'illuminazione era adeguata per leggere. (The lighting was adequate for reading.)
While 'giusto' primarily means 'right' or 'correct,' it can sometimes be used in the sense of 'just right' or 'appropriate,' leading to confusion with 'adeguato.'
'Giusto' fundamentally means 'right,' 'correct,' or 'fair.' While it can imply suitability (e.g., 'il momento giusto' - the right moment), 'adeguato' focuses more directly on fitting a specific standard or need in terms of quality or quantity.
Hai fatto la scelta giusta. (You made the right choice.) / La quantità di zucchero era adeguata per la ricetta. (The amount of sugar was adequate for the recipe.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsWhile both mean 'enough' in some contexts, 'adeguato' implies something is suitable or appropriate for a specific purpose, meeting a certain standard. 'Sufficiente' simply means there's enough of something, often quantitatively.
Example:
'La risposta è adeguata.' (The answer is adequate/appropriate.)
'Non c'è cibo sufficiente per tutti.' (There isn't sufficient/enough food for everyone.)
Yes, you can. When describing a person, 'adeguato' means they are competent, capable, or suitable for a role or task.
Example:
'È un candidato adeguato per il lavoro.' (He is an adequate/suitable candidate for the job.)
The most common opposite of 'adeguato' is 'inadeguato' (inadequate, unsuitable).
Example:
'Le risorse sono inadeguate.' (The resources are inadequate.)
'Adeguato' is an adjective, so it changes its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it modifies:
- Masculine singular: adeguato
- Feminine singular: adeguata
- Masculine plural: adeguati
- Feminine plural: adeguate
Example:
'Un prezzo adeguato' (an adequate price)
'Una soluzione adeguata' (an adequate solution)
'I salari adeguati' (the adequate salaries)
'Le condizioni adeguate' (the adequate conditions)
'Adeguato' refers to suitability or meeting a standard, while 'giusto' means 'right' or 'correct.' Something can be 'giusto' (correct) but not necessarily 'adeguato' (suitable) for a particular situation.
Example:
'La risposta è giusta.' (The answer is correct.)
'La risposta è adeguata alla domanda.' (The answer is adequate/appropriate for the question.)
Absolutely. You can use 'adeguato' to describe abstract nouns like policies, strategies, or measures.
Example:
'Hanno preso misure adeguate.' (They took adequate/appropriate measures.)
Yes, it's quite common and useful in various contexts, from formal discussions to everyday conversations, especially when evaluating something's suitability or quality. It's a B1 word, so you'll encounter it regularly.
Common verbs include 'essere' (to be), 'rendere' (to make/render), 'considerare' (to consider), and 'trovare' (to find).
Example:
'Il prezzo è adeguato.' (The price is adequate.)
'Dobbiamo rendere il sistema adeguato.' (We need to make the system adequate.)
Yes, like many adjectives, 'adeguato' can be used ironically to imply that something is far from suitable or satisfactory. The tone of voice would convey the irony.
Example:
'Oh, certo, questa è una soluzione *molto adeguata*.' (Oh, sure, this is a *very adequate* solution. - implying it's not at all adequate.)
'Adeguato' generally means 'good enough' or 'suitable for the purpose.' It implies meeting a standard, but not necessarily perfection. If you want to say 'perfect,' you'd use a different word like 'perfetto.'
Example:
'La qualità è adeguata.' (The quality is adequate/acceptable.)
'La qualità è perfetta.' (The quality is perfect.)
Test Yourself 30 questions
Il cibo non era ___ per tutti. (The food was not ___ for everyone.)
Here, 'adeguato' means 'enough' or 'sufficient' in the context of food quantity.
La mia macchina è ___ per il viaggio. (My car is ___ for the trip.)
'Adeguata' (feminine form) means 'suitable' or 'appropriate' for the trip.
Hai un vestito ___ per la festa? (Do you have an ___ dress for the party?)
In this context, 'adeguato' means 'appropriate' or 'proper' for the party.
Non ho tempo ___ per studiare. (I don't have ___ time to study.)
Here, 'adeguato' means 'sufficient' or 'enough' time.
L'acqua non è ___ per bere. (The water is not ___ to drink.)
In this sentence, 'adeguata' means 'suitable' or 'safe' for drinking.
La risposta era ___ e chiara. (The answer was ___ and clear.)
Here, 'adeguata' means 'appropriate' or 'fitting' for the question.
Write a sentence describing a 'sufficient' amount of something for a recipe, using 'adeguato'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La quantità di zucchero nella ricetta è adeguata.
Imagine you are describing a shirt that fits 'well' for an occasion. Write a sentence using 'adeguato'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Questa camicia è adeguata per la festa.
You are commenting on the 'satisfactory' quality of a new product. Write a short sentence with 'adeguato'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La qualità del nuovo prodotto è adeguata.
Perché il vestito non era adeguato?
Read this passage:
Ho comprato un vestito per la cerimonia. Era molto bello, ma non era adeguato per l'occasione. Era troppo informale. Ho dovuto comprare un altro vestito più elegante.
Perché il vestito non era adeguato?
The passage says 'Era troppo informale' (It was too informal).
The passage says 'Era troppo informale' (It was too informal).
Perché il libro era un regalo adeguato per l'amico?
Read this passage:
Il mio amico ha ricevuto un regalo. Era un libro interessante. Ha detto che era un regalo adeguato per lui perché ama leggere.
Perché il libro era un regalo adeguato per l'amico?
The passage states 'perché ama leggere' (because he loves to read).
The passage states 'perché ama leggere' (because he loves to read).
Cosa significa che la quantità di cibo era 'adeguata'?
Read this passage:
La quantità di cibo preparata per la cena era adeguata per tutti gli invitati. Nessuno è rimasto con fame e non c'era neanche troppo avanzo.
Cosa significa che la quantità di cibo era 'adeguata'?
The passage implies that everyone was satisfied ('Nessuno è rimasto con fame') and there wasn't too much leftover ('non c'era neanche troppo avanzo'), indicating a perfect amount.
The passage implies that everyone was satisfied ('Nessuno è rimasto con fame') and there wasn't too much leftover ('non c'era neanche troppo avanzo'), indicating a perfect amount.
Quale tra le seguenti opzioni è un sinonimo di 'adeguato'?
'Sufficiente' significa abbastanza, che è molto vicino al significato di 'adeguato'.
Se un servizio è 'adeguato', significa che:
'Adeguato' si riferisce a qualcosa che è sufficiente o accettabile, non necessariamente eccezionale.
In quale contesto useresti 'adeguato'?
'Adeguato' si usa per indicare che qualcosa è sufficiente o appropriato per uno scopo, come la quantità d'acqua per una pianta.
Se la preparazione di uno studente per un esame è 'adeguata', significa che non è abbastanza pronto.
Se la preparazione è 'adeguata', significa che è sufficiente e lo studente è pronto.
Un comportamento 'adeguato' è sempre un comportamento esemplare e perfetto.
Un comportamento 'adeguato' è appropriato o accettabile, non necessariamente esemplare o perfetto.
La frase 'Abbiamo un budget adeguato per il progetto' significa che i fondi disponibili sono sufficienti per realizzarlo.
Un budget 'adeguato' indica che ci sono abbastanza fondi per raggiungere l'obiettivo.
Pay attention to the word 'adeguato'.
Listen for 'adeguata al problema'.
Identify 'adeguato' in context.
Read this aloud:
Dobbiamo trovare una strategia adeguata per superare questa sfida.
Focus: adeguata, strategia
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
La tua proposta non sembra adeguata alle nostre esigenze attuali.
Focus: adeguata, esigenze
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Cerca di usare un linguaggio adeguato alla situazione.
Focus: adeguato, linguaggio
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence asks if the resources are sufficient for the project. 'Adeguate' (adequate/sufficient) agrees in gender and number with 'risorse' (resources).
This sentence means 'He/She did not find accommodation suitable for his/her needs.' 'Adeguato' (suitable) modifies 'alloggio' (accommodation).
This sentence asks 'Was the preparation adequate for the exam?' 'Adeguata' (adequate) agrees with 'preparazione' (preparation).
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
More general words
abbagliare
C1To dazzle or blind with light or beauty
abbaglio
C1A serious mistake or misconception.
abbreviare
B1To make something shorter.
abnegazione
C1Self-sacrifice or renunciation of one's own interests
accadere
B1To happen or occur.
accadimento
B2An event, occurrence, or happening.
accaduto
B1What happened or the event that occurred.
accanito
C1Fierce, persistent, or relentless in pursuit
accantonare
C1To put aside for future use or discard.
accattivante
C1witty, charming, or attractive.
