适合 / 合适【shìhé / héshì】

适合 and 合适 both mean "suit, be right for", with the same two characters in opposite order. 适合 is a verb and takes an object; 合适 is an adjective and doesn't.

适合 + object

The object of 适合 is the person or purpose that something suits.

合适 on its own

合适 describes something with 很 or 不太 in front, and stops there. Before a noun, it takes 的.

To name who it suits, 合适 puts the person in front with 对. Side by side, 适合 names the person after it; 合适 brings them in before it.

Where it goes wrong

合适 with an object behind it is the most common slip. Switch to 适合, or move the person in front with 对.

• × 这件衣服很合适你 → 这件衣服很适合你 / 这件衣服对你很合适

Before a noun, an adjective is needed – 合适, not 适合 on its own.

• × 一个适合的时间 → 一个合适的时间