Translation and Meaning of: 当たり - atari

If you have ever played a Japanese gambling game or watched a sports anime, you have probably heard the word 当たり (あたり) being used in contexts of hitting or success. But this word goes much further, encompassing everything from geographical proximity to the idea of "hitting the mark." In this article, we will explore the etymology, everyday use, and even some curiosities about how the Japanese apply this term in their daily lives. Additionally, you will learn the correct writing of the kanji and some useful phrases to add to your Anki or other spaced repetition system.

What makes 当たり so interesting is its versatility. It can be used to describe a hit in a game as well as to indicate that something is "in the area of" a specific place. Is there a connection between these seemingly distinct meanings? Let's find out together!

Etymology and Pictogram of 当たり

The kanji 当 in 当たり is composed of the radical ⺌ (small) combined with 田 (rice field), suggesting the idea of "reaching" or "hitting" something. Originally, this character was used to represent the concept of correspondence or adequacy, like when something "fits" perfectly. Over time, the meaning expanded to include notions of correctness and closeness.

The pictogram itself is visually interesting - imagine an arrow hitting a target (the "small" radical) within a field (the "rice paddy"). This mental image can be very helpful for memorization! Interestingly, the same kanji appears in words like 当然 (とうぜん - obvious) and 当時 (とうじ - at that time), showing how a single character can contain multiple meanings depending on the context.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

In Japan, 当たり is ubiquitous in everyday situations. In convenience stores, you might see ads like "駅前当たりのコンビニ" (konbini near the station). In variety TV shows, when a participant answers a difficult question correctly, the host inevitably shouts "当たり！" with enthusiasm. And in traditional festival games like kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping), vendors use this word to congratulate customers who manage to catch many fish.

A lesser-known but equally interesting application appears in the business world. Japanese businessmen often say "今期は当たりだった" (kinki wa atari datta) to describe a successful period in business. This semantic flexibility makes 当たり one of those words worth mastering completely, as it appears in so many different contexts.

Memory Tips and Curiosities

To memorize 当たり, try associating it with concrete situations. Imagine yourself at a matsuri (Japanese festival) hitting the target in a dart game - the shout of "Atari!" from the vendor will surely stick in your memory. Another effective technique is to create flashcards with images of street signs containing "～当たり" to establish the meaning of "near."

A fascinating linguistic curiosity: in some regional dialects of Japan, especially in Okinawa, 当たり can acquire slightly different nuances, sometimes being used more gently to indicate "more or less" rather than a definitive hit. This shows how even seemingly simple words can have subtle variations depending on the region.

How about practicing right now? The next time you get something right in your daily life, try saying "Atari!" instead of the usual "Yes!". These small immersion exercises make all the difference in learning Japanese!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

命中 (Meichuu) - Correct, impact
当てる (Ateru) - to hit, to reach
当たる (Ataru) - To be right, to match
当て (Ate) - Alright, bet.
当てはまる (Atehamaru) - Apply, be relevant
当てはめる (Atehameru) - Apply, put into practice
当たり前 (Atarimae) - Common, obvious
当たり前のこと (Atarimae no koto) - Obvious thing
当たり前の (Atarimae no) - Obviously, normal
当たり前に (Atarimae ni) - Naturally, obviously
当たり前だ (Atarimae da) - It's obvious
当たり前です (Atarimae desu) - It is obvious.
当たり前でしょう (Atarimae deshou) - It's obvious, isn't it?
当たり前と言えば当たり前 (Atarimae to ieba atarimae) - If you say it's obvious, it really is obvious.
当たり前と思う (Atarimae to omou) - I think it's obvious.
当たり前のように (Atarimae no you ni) - As if it were obvious
当たり前のことだが (Atarimae no koto da ga) - It's an obvious thing, but...
当たり前のことながら (Atarimae no koto nagara) - Although it is obvious...
当たり前のことだけど (Atarimae no koto dakedo) - It's an obvious thing, but...
当たり前のことだから (Atarimae no koto da kara) - Because it's an obvious thing.
当たり前のことだと思う (Atarimae no koto da to omou) - I think it's an obvious thing.
当たり前のことだと言える (Atarimae no koto da to ieru) - I can say that it's an obvious thing.
当たり前のことだと思います (Atarimae no koto da to omoimasu) - I think it's an obvious thing (polite form).