Matching and appropriateness with

当 means hit, match, or be appropriate. It covers hitting a target or guessing right, fitting a rule or standard, and taking on an assigned duty.

As a prefix, it means “this” or “the one in question”, as in 当日, 当店, and 当主.

Etymology

This kanji is the simplified form of 當, a phono-semantic compound comprised of 田 (fields) as the semantic component and 尚 as the phonetic component (ショウ).

Etymology Research

當 combines 田, “field,” with 尚 as the sound component. CUHK finds this structure in both bronze and small seal forms. Its quoted 説文解字 entry defines 當 as 田相値也, fields matching each other in value. Duan Yucai’s commentary reads this as two fields holding each other in balance, and derives the wider senses of facing and matching from it. CUHK Multi-function Chinese Character Database, 當.

Kanjipedia gives the same analysis. It explains that the values of two fields balance, and that the idea extended to hitting and applying. It treats 尚 as the sound component, with an old reading that shifted to the modern トウ. Kanjipedia, 当.

The bronze use CUHK records, on a spear from 櫟陽, has an unclear meaning. Early texts use 當 for facing, as in the 左伝, and Qin legal texts use it for “should,” the sense behind 当然. Some manuscripts write 當 for the similar-sounding 倘, “if,” and 常, “constant.” CUHK, 當.

Shirakawa Shizuka’s 字通 also classes 當 as phono-semantic but reads it differently. He takes the top of 尚 as divine spirit descending and 田 as cultivated land, and proposes that the character first belonged to agricultural rites. The CUHK and Kanjipedia accounts do not share this interpretation. Heibonsha, 普及版 字通, 当.

Kanjipedia identifies the Japanese school form 当 as based on an abbreviated popular form of 當. The Japanese words あたる and あてる are native words assigned to the character as kun-readings, so the character’s history does not explain where those words came from. Kanjipedia, 当, Agency for Cultural Affairs, 常用漢字表の音訓索引.

Hitting

(To hit)

当(あ)たる is for something to strike or touch something else, like a ball hitting a window or sunlight falling on a room. It also means for a guess to come true, for someone to win a prize, or for one thing to correspond to another, as in 伯父(おじ)に当(あ)たる人(ひと).

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Receiving a request with 〜れる.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 93

Rize and Cocoa watch as Chino seems to be telling a customer a fortune. Cocoa asks Rize what it was about.

リゼ:
「コーヒー占(うらな)いだよ」
“It's coffee fortune-telling.”
「頼(たの)まれたらやってるけどチノの占(うらな)いよく当(あ)たるんだ」
“I do it when I receive a request to, but Chino's fortunes are usually accurate.”
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Proper Fit

(Natural)

当(あ)たり前(まえ) describes something obvious and expected. Said alone, it means “of course”.

It began as a native reading of 当前, a substitute spelling of 当然 (natural), so it carries the sense of what is only natural.

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Skilled clock maker with 職人.
名探偵コナン » Volume 17 » Page 118

Having received a letter requesting help solving a mystery, Kogoro finds himself in a house filled with animal designs everywhere, including the doors, the chairs, and the plates. His attention turns to the clocks covering the walls.

小五郎(こごろう):
「しかし動物(どうぶつ)もさることながら、時計(とけい)もたくさんありますなー...」
“But aside from the animals, there are also a lot of clocks, huh...”
男(おとこ):
「当(あ)たり前(まえ)ですよ... 祖父(そふ)は時計(とけい)職人(しょくにん)だったんですから...」
“Of course there are... Grandfather was a clock maker, after all...”
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(Appropriate)

適当(てきとう) describes something that fits a purpose or situation well. In casual speech it often means the opposite, doing something carelessly or at random.

It combines 適 (suitable) with 当 (fit) to show a proper match.

Example 1 of 2: Choosing a menu item with 〜ておく
Example 1 of 2
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Choosing a menu item with 〜ておく.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 63

After a misunderstanding brings Rize and her friends to the teahouse where Syaro works, the group stays to have some tea.

リゼ:
「ハーブティーの種類(しゅるい)ってよく分(わ)からないな」
“I don't really know the different kinds of herbal tea.”
「適当(てきとう)に選(えら)んどくか」
“I'll just pick something for now?”
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Example 2 of 2: Getting on one's nerves with 気に食わない
Example 2 of 2
Manga panel from レンタルおにいちゃん showing example of Getting on one's nerves with 気に食わない.
レンタルおにいちゃん » Volume 2 » Page 28

Following the death of their parents, Kanami’s big brother Kazutaka became secluded and abusive. Kanami begins to spend time with Makoto, a “rental big brother” whose advice gives her hope in restoring her brother’s former kindness. Kazutaka rebukes her attempts, suggesting that Makoto’s filling her with nonsense ideas.

一敬(かずたか):
「気(き)に食(く)わないんだよ」
“He gets on my nerves.”
「適当(てきとう)な甘(あま)い言葉(ことば)で金(かね)を取(と)り続(つづ)けるような奴(やつ)」
“He's the kind of guy who keeps taking (rental) money while spouting alluring words.”
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(Corresponding)

相当(そうとう) describes something that matches or is worth a given amount or standard. As an adverb, it means to a considerable degree.

It combines 相 (mutual) with 当 (appropriate) to show mutually appropriate.

Example 1 of 2: A pretty clean room with 相当
Example 1 of 2
Manga panel from たいようのいえ showing example of A pretty clean room with 相当.
たいようのいえ » Volume 1 » Page 87

Hiro lets Mao move into his sister’s bedroom, as Hina is living with relatives. After, he comes up with a list of rules that Mao needs to follow if she’s to keep living there.

基(ひろ):
「…さて 片付(かたづ)け…」
“Now then, cleaning...”
「できるのかな おまえ…」
“I wonder if you can do it.”
「俺(おれ) 陽菜(ひな)の部屋(へや)相当(そうとう)キレイにしてたんだぞ」
“I kept Hina's room pretty clean, you know.”
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Example 2 of 2: Corresponding letters of the alphabet with 相当
Example 2 of 2
Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Corresponding letters of the alphabet with 相当.
名探偵コナン » Volume 7 » Page 80

Following a series of murders, Conan discovers a message hidden in sheet music. He explains it to Ran.

コナン:
「ピアノの鍵盤(けんばん)の左端(ひだりはし)から順(じゅん)に、アルファベットをあてはめて…」
“Starting from the leftmost key on the piano keyboard, I assigned each key a letter...”
「メッセージの文字(もじ)に相当(そうとう)する音(おと)を、譜面(ふめん)に書(か)きしるしただけだよ…」
“I simply wrote down the notes corresponding to the letters of the message on the sheet music...”
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(To apply)

当(あ)てはめる is to fit something into a rule, pattern, or blank, such as plugging an answer into a formula.

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Easy to understand with 〜やすい.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 88

During a library study session, Syaro helps Chino with her homework.

シャロ:
「この問題(もんだい)はさっきの答(こた)えをここに当(あ)てはめて…」
“For this problem, substitute the answer from before here...”
チノ:
「すごく分(わ)かりやすいです!」
“That's very easy to understand!”
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Assigned Roles

(Lunch duty)

給食当番(きゅうしょくとうばん) is the job of serving school lunch to classmates, done in turns.

It combines 給食 (school lunch) with 当番 (duty) to show duty serving school lunch.

Manga panel from 好きな子がめがねを忘れた showing example of Lunch duty today of all days with 〜に限って.
好きな子がめがねを忘れた » Volume 1 » Page 47

Komura and Mie have serving duty in the cafeteria. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, except today Mie accidentally stepped on her glasses and broke them, and can barely see without them.

小村(こむら):
「そしてそんな日(ひ)に限(かぎ)って給食(きゅうしょく)当番(とうばん)」
“Thus, on a day such as that (of all days), she has lunch duty.”
「だから今日(きょう)も俺(おれ)が三重(みえ)さんをサポートしようと思(おも)ったんだけど…」
“Therefore, I thought I'd support Mie today as well, but...”
男(おとこ)の子(こ):
「まま待(ま)って待(ま)って待(ま)って」
“W-w-wait, wait, wait!”
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Truth

(Truth)

本当(ほんとう) is the truth, as opposed to a lie or a joke. ほんとう? asks “really?”

It combines 本 (true origin) with 当 (right / fitting) to show what is truly right.

Example 1 of 3: Chinese history lesson on talismans with 中国
Example 1 of 3
Manga panel from カードキャプターさくら showing example of Chinese history lesson on talismans with 中国.
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 3 » Page 158

Sakura had to take a detour to get to class. She tells her friends at school about the shrine she saw along the way. Naoko says the talismans from there are popular, as they can grant wishes for things such as exams and romance.

山崎(やまざき):
「お守(まも)りっていうのはね むかし 中国(ちゅうごく)で守(まも)り札(ふだ)を袋(ふくろ)にいれたのがはじまりらしいよ」
“You know, apparently good-luck charms began long ago in China, when people put protective talismans into bags.”
奈緒子(なおこ):
「今回(こんかい)は本当(ほんとう)っぽいね」
“This time it sounds true, huh?”
千春(ちはる):
「まだ わかんないわよ」
“We don't know that yet!”
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Example 2 of 3: Don't say it with 〜てはだめだ
Example 2 of 3
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Don't say it with 〜てはだめだ.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 54

Syaro gives a vague account of her first meeting Rize, as the truth is too embarassing for her. Cocoa listens to Syaro’s words and misunderstands the event.

リゼ:
「ちがうちがう本当(ほんとう)はー」
“No, no. What really happened was...”
シャロ:
「あっ言(い)っちゃだめです!」
“Ah, don't say it!”
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Example 3 of 3: Keeping my dad company with 相手
Example 3 of 3
Manga panel from ARIA The MASTERPIECE showing example of Keeping my dad company with 相手.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 2 » Page 31

Akari encounters an older gentleman looking for a police box, so he can report his missing daughter and son-in-law. Akari offers to take him around and see if they can find the couple. Once they are reunited, the daughter thanks Akari for finding her father.

娘(むすめ):
「迷子(まいご)になった父(ちち)の相手(あいて)をするの大変(たいへん)でしたでしょ?」
“It must have been tough dealing with my dad when he got lost, right?”
「本当(ほんとう)ガンコおやじで…」
“He really is a stubborn old man...”
父(とう)さん:
「迷子(まいご)と言(い)うなっ」
“Don't say lost!”
「うるさい」
“Annoying...”
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(Really)

本当(ほんとう)に stresses that something is truly the case or that a feeling is sincere, as in 本当(ほんとう)にありがとう.

It combines 本当 (truth) with に (adverb ending) to show truly.

Example 1 of 2: Only for a little bit with 〜だけ
Example 1 of 2
Manga panel from ARIA The MASTERPIECE showing example of Only for a little bit with 〜だけ.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 2 » Page 95

While waiting for his brother, Akatsuki finds Akari. He decides to pass the time by having Akari give him a tour of the area, but she explains that as a trainee she can’t take on customers by herself. Akatsuki hops into Akari’s gondola, saying it’s okay as long as he’s not a customer; he’s a friend.

灯里(あかり):
「本当(ほんとう)にちょっとだけですよー」
“It's really just a little bit!”
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Example 2 of 2: Thank you for always being by side with 本当にありがとう
Example 2 of 2
Manga panel from 一週間フレンズ。 showing example of Thank you for always being by side with 本当にありがとう.
一週間フレンズ。 » Volume 4 » Page 130

Due to a condition where she loses all memories of friends every Monday morning, Fujimiya acts cold toward classmates to avoid becoming friends. While eating lunch on the roof with Hase, she remarks how hard it is to act that way. Hase says it’s because she’s naturally a nice person. He recalls when he first tried becoming friends with her, how Fujimiya avoided eye contact with him and gave only brief responses. Fujimiya is shocked to hear how she had treated him.

藤宮(ふじみや):
「でもそんな私(わたし)なのに長谷(はせ)くんはいつもそばにいてくれるんだよね」
“But even though I was like that, Hase-kun, you're always by my side, aren't you?”
「本当(ほんとう)にありがとう」
“Thank you, really.”
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Packed Meals

(Boxed meal)

弁当(べんとう) is a boxed meal packed to eat at school, work, or away from home.

It combines 弁 (arrange / portion out) with 当 (appropriate / allotted) to show food set out in suitable portions.

Example 1 of 2: A meal provided by the school with 給食
Example 1 of 2
Manga panel from あずまんが大王 showing example of A meal provided by the school with 給食.
あずまんが大王 » Volume 1年生 » Page 6

Chiyo is a child prodigy who’s skipped from elementary school to high school.

During her first day of class, Chiyo is invited by a couple of classmates to join them for lunch.

ちよ:
「小学校(しょうがっこう)は給食(きゅうしょく)だったからお弁当(べんとう)は楽(たの)しいです」
“Since we were provided lunches in elementary school, a boxed lunch is fun.”
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Example 2 of 2: Thanks for the boxed lunch with サンキュ
Example 2 of 2
Manga panel from GALS! showing example of Thanks for the boxed lunch with サンキュ.
GALS! » Volume 1 » Page 14

Miyu visits Yamato at his police box workplace to bring him a packed lunch. She sees her friend, Yamato’s sister Ran, there and stops by to see her next. A call comes in, and Yamato heads to help provide backup.

大和(やまと):
「美由(みゆ) 弁当(べんとう)サンキュ」
“Miyu, thanks for the boxed lunch.”
「蘭(らん)! まっすぐ 家(いえ)に帰(かえ)れよ! じゃ」
“Ran! Head right home! Bye!”
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(Boxed lunch)

お弁当(べんとう) is the polite, everyday way to say 弁当(べんとう), a meal packed in a box to eat away from home.

Manga panel from カードキャプターさくら showing example of Why must I bring you your lunch with 〜なければならない.
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 8 » Page 93

Spinel Sun calls out to Ruby Moon at school. After a brief discussion, Spinel Sun gets to the reason for his appearance there.

スピネル・サン:
「で」
“So.”
「どうして わたしがあなたの忘(わす)れたお弁当(べんとう)を届(とど)けなければならないんですか」
“Why do I have to deliver the lunch you forgot?”
ルビー・ムーン:
「だってー せっかくエリオルが作(つく)ってくれたんだもーーん!!」
“Well, because Eriol went to all that trouble to make it for me!!”
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(Lunch money)

弁当代(べんとうだい) means lunch money or the price of a boxed meal.

It combines 弁 (arrange / portion out) with 当 (allotted meal) and 代 (cost / charge) to show the money for a boxed meal.

Manga panel from orange showing example of Thinking it cost more with 〜気がする.
orange » Volume 2 » Page 22

As thanks for Naho making him lunches, Kakeru gives her a jewel-encrusted hair clip. In her room later, Naho looks over the piece.

菜穂(なほ):
「絶対(ぜったい)お弁当代(べんとうだい)より高(たか)い気(き)がする」
“I think it definitely cost more than lunch.”
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