順 as “Favorable”

The character 順 also means “favorable, satisfactory, right.” We see that in the following compounds:

順調 (junchō: favorable, smooth, without a hitch)
     favorable + condition
順境 (junkyō: favorable circumstances, prosperity)
     favorable + situation

The second kanji is saka(i), “boundary,” which could make for a weird breakdown. But in fact 境 can also mean “situation” or “condition,” as in 環境 (kankyō: environment, to surround + condition), which we saw earlier today.

順当 (juntō: proper, right, reasonable)     right + fitting

Back to the Blog …