hit · appropriate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 当 has 6 strokes, the on-reading とう, and the kun-readings あたる and あてる. Distinguish 当たる (あたる) from 当てる (あてる) by the following kana.
• Basic usage: 当たる can mean to hit something or meet a condition; 当てる can mean to guess correctly or place something against another object.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 当たる and 当てる
  • ボールが窓に当たって describes a ball hitting a window. 条件に当たる人 identifies people who meet a condition.
  • 音だけで当てた means correctly guessed what was inside the box from sound alone. 両手を湯のみの側面に当てた describes placing both hands against the side of a teacup.