Meaning
当 lands on four core meanings: to hit (a target), current / this (the present matter or moment), appropriate / fitting, and to be in charge of something. All four trace back to one idea — being exactly where you should be.
The traditional form is 當, still used in Traditional Chinese and some formal Japanese contexts. Japan's modern form 当 keeps the same meanings in a cleaner, six-stroke design. The upper component 彐 (radical 58) sits above 土 (earth/ground), suggesting something landing squarely on solid ground — right on target.
Japanese children meet 当 in 2nd grade of elementary school, early even by Jōyō kanji standards. Six strokes, but enormous reach. 当然, 当番, 本当 — these three alone cover situations you'll hit daily, from casual speech to written forms.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading is トウ (tou). It drives most compound words (熟語, jukugo) and signals meanings like current, appropriate, this particular one, in charge of. You'll encounter it across registers, from office memos to everyday conversation.
- 当然 (touzen) — naturally, of course, as a matter of course
- 当時 (touji) — at that time, back then, in those days
- 当日 (toujitsu) — the day in question, the appointed day
- 担当 (tantou) — being in charge of, one's assigned duty
- 当選 (tousen) — winning (an election, lottery, or contest)
- 相当 (soutou) — considerable, equivalent, appropriate to
- 当初 (tousho) — at first, in the beginning, initially
- 妥当 (datou) — appropriate, valid, reasonable
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings center on the verb forms あたる (ataru) and あてる (ateru), meaning to hit, to be hit by, to guess correctly, to apply to. The reading まさに (masani) appears in set expressions meaning exactly, precisely, certainly.
- 当たる (ataru) — to hit (a target); to be on duty; to come true (of a prediction); to be exposed to (sun, wind)
- 当てる (ateru) — to hit (something); to guess correctly; to address (a letter); to apply to
- 当たり (atari) — a hit; a winning ticket; vicinity, area around
- 当に (masani) — exactly, precisely, indeed, certainly (used for emphasis)
- 当て (ate) — guess; aim; expectation; address (destination)
Common Words & Compounds
Few N3 kanji generate as many high-frequency compounds as 当. Here are the key ones, grouped by theme:
Time & Situation
- 当時 (touji) — at that time, back then
- 当日 (toujitsu) — the day (of the event); the appointed day
- 当初 (tousho) — at first, initially
- 当面 (toumen) — for the time being, for now, currently
Responsibility & Role
- 担当 (tantou) — person in charge, one's responsibility
- 当番 (touban) — being on duty, one's turn for a task
- 当局 (toukyoku) — the authorities, the relevant authorities
Correctness & Appropriateness
- 当然 (touzen) — naturally, of course, it goes without saying
- 妥当 (datou) — appropriate, reasonable, valid
- 相当 (soutou) — considerable, fairly, equivalent to
- 本当 (hontou) — true, real, genuine (literally "true hit")
Hitting & Success
- 当選 (tousen) — winning (election, lottery)
- 当たり前 (atarimae) — natural, obvious, matter of course
- 見当 (kentou) — estimate, guess, having an idea about something
Example Sentences
本当にありがとうございます。
Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you so very much.
当時、私は東京に住んでいました。
Touji, watashi wa Toukyou ni sunde imashita.
At that time, I was living in Tokyo.
今日は彼女が当番です。
Kyou wa kanojo ga touban desu.
She's on duty today.
このプロジェクトの担当者は田中さんです。
Kono purojekuto no tantousha wa Tanaka-san desu.
Ms. Tanaka is the person in charge of this project.
当然、ルールを守らなければなりません。
Touzen, ruuru wo mamoranakereba narimasen.
Of course, you have to follow the rules.
矢が的に当たった。
Ya ga mato ni atatta.
The arrow hit the target.
宝くじに当選したら、旅行に行きたい。
Takarakuji ni tousen shitara, ryokou ni ikitai.
If I win the lottery, I want to go on a trip.
この計画は妥当だと思います。
Kono keikaku wa datou da to omoimasu.
I think this plan is reasonable.
当面の間は、この方法を使い続けましょう。
Toumen no aida wa, kono houhou wo tsukai tsuzukemashou.
For now, let's stick with this method.
この問題の見当がつきません。
Kono mondai no kentou ga tsukimasen.
I can't even guess at the answer to this problem.
Memory Tip
Picture an archer at full draw. The top of 当 (彐) looks like the notched end of an arrow; the bottom (土) is the packed earth where the target stands. The arrow flies — and hits (当たる) dead center.
That image covers the whole character. A perfect shot is right on: appropriate (妥当), inevitable (当然), the obvious outcome (当たり前). The archer assigned to the task is 担当 — in charge. When the result is undeniably real, it is 本当 — a true hit.
On target, in charge, obviously correct: that's 当 in three phrases.