Inapropiat

Inapropiat is a Catalan adjective meaning not appropriate or unsuitable for a given context. It describes actions, statements, or situations that do not meet the expectations of propriety, safety, or social norms.

As an adjective, inapropiat inflects for gender and number according to Catalan grammar. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to flag behavior or remarks that are out of place. Examples include: “Aquest comentari és inapropiat” and “La broma va ser inapropiada.” Common collocations include “comportament inapropiat” and “situació inapropiada.”

The term is closely linked to the idea of propriety and is often contrasted with expressions meaning appropriate or suitable. A typical way to express the opposite concept is using a form such as apropiat or adequat, depending on the context. Inapropiat is therefore part of a broader vocabulary around etiquette, propriety, and social norms.

Etymology and cognates: inapropiat is formed with the negative prefix in- attached to a root related to “apropar” or “proper/fit.” Cognate forms exist in other Romance languages, such as Spanish inapropiado, French inapproprié, and Italian inappropriato, all with the same basic meaning of not being suitable or proper.

See also: appropriate, propriety, etiquette, inadequat.