Readings: トウ (Onyomi), あ.たる, あ.てる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: hit, be on target, appropriate, bear, apply, per
A phono-semantic compound. The original character is said to depict a person hitting a drum, signifying ‘hit’ or ‘strike.’ It evolved to encompass meanings of being ‘on target,’ ‘appropriate,’ or ‘corresponding.’
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 当 consists of 6 strokes. Start with the top horizontal stroke, followed by the two vertical strokes forming the “square” shape. Then, complete the two strokes of the “small” radical at the bottom. The final stroke is the hook on the bottom right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 小 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 当 (Tō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 当たる (ataru)
- 当てる (ateru)
Common Words Using 当
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 当時 | とうじ | at that time, in those days |
| 当番 | とうばん | duty, turn |
| 当然 | とうぜん | natural, as a matter of course |
| 担当 | たんとう | (in) charge (of) |
| 弁当 | べんとう | bento (lunch box) |
| 当選 | とうせん | being elected, winning (a prize) |
| 相当 | そうとう | equivalent, considerable |
| 手当 | てあて | allowance, compensation, medical treatment |
| 当分 | とうぶん | for the time being, for a while |
| 当日 | とうじつ | the day in question, the day of (an event) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 当たる | あたる | to hit, to strike, to be equivalent to, to win |
| 当てる | あてる | to hit, to apply, to guess, to allocate |
| 日当たり | ひあたり | exposure to the sun, sunny place |
| 当たり | あたり | hit, success (e.g., lottery hit) |
| 当たり前 | あたりまえ | natural, obvious, standard |
| 思い当たる | おもいあたる | to suddenly realize, to come to mind |
| 当てはまる | あてはまる | to apply (to a case), to fit |
| 当てにする | あてにする | to count on, to rely on |
| 当て先 | あてさき | destination, addressee |
| 当て | あて | aim, purpose, object |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 当時、彼は学生でした。
Kana: とうじ、かれはがくせいでした。
Romaji: Tōji, kare wa gakusei deshita.
English: At that time, he was a student.
Japanese: 宝くじが当たった！
Kana: たからくじがあたった！
Romaji: Takarakuji ga atatta!
English: I won the lottery!
Japanese: 彼の言っていることは当然だ。
Kana: かれのいっていることはとうぜんだ。
Romaji: Kare no itteiru koto wa tōzen da.
English: What he’s saying is natural/obvious.
Japanese: 彼はこのプロジェクトの担当者です。
Kana: かれはこのプロジェクトのたんとうしゃです。
Romaji: Kare wa kono purojekuto no tantōsha desu.
English: He is in charge of this project.
Japanese: 的を狙って矢を当てた。
Kana: まとをねらってやをあてた。
Romaji: Mato o neratte ya o ateta.
English: I aimed at the target and hit it with an arrow.
Japanese: 日当たりの良い部屋が好きです。
Kana: ひあたりのよいへやがすきです。
Romaji: Hi-atari no yoi heya ga suki desu.
English: I like sunny rooms.
Japanese: 今日の当番は私です。
Kana: きょうのとうばんはわたしです。
Romaji: Kyō no tōban wa watashi desu.
English: Today’s duty is mine.
Japanese: このルールは全員に当てはまる。
Kana: このルールはぜんいんにあてはまる。
Romaji: Kono rūru wa zen’in ni atehamaru.
English: This rule applies to everyone.
Japanese: 思った通りの結果に相当する。
Kana: おもったとおりのけっかにそうとうする。
Romaji: Omotta tōri no kekka ni sōtō suru.
English: It corresponds to the result I expected.
Japanese: 彼は駅で弁当を買った。
Kana: かれはえきでべんとうをかった。
Romaji: Kare wa eki de bentō o katta.
English: He bought a bento at the station.
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