1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 当 is "to hit the target," "to be correct," "to apply to," or "to serve as." It conveys a sense of appropriateness, correspondence, or taking on a role or responsibility.
Common Readings and Words:
とう (tō): The Sino-Japanese reading used in compound words.
当然 (tōzen): Natural, obvious, as a matter of course. (当-fit + 然-so → "fitting so")
当日 (tōjitsu): That very day, the day in question. (当-that + 日-day)
当番 (tōban): Person on duty. (当-serve + 番-turn)
適当 (tekitō): Suitable, appropriate. (Note: This word can also mean "vague" or "half-hearted" in casual contexts, so caution is needed).
あ (a): Used in native Japanese verbs.
当たる (ataru): The basic verb meaning "to hit," "to be correct," "to win (a prize)," "to be exposed to (sun, wind)."
当てる (ateru): To hit (something), to guess correctly, to apply (something to something else).
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 当 correctly is essential for balance. The kanji is composed of two main parts.
Total Strokes: 6
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Top Part: 尚 (Shō) - Abbreviated Form
Stroke 1: Short vertical stroke (竖) in the center.
Stroke 2: Left dot (点).
Stroke 3: Right dot (点).
Bottom Part: 田 (Ta) - Rice Field
Stroke 4: Left vertical stroke (竖).
Stroke 5: Top horizontal and right vertical in one stroke (横折).
Stroke 6: Bottom horizontal stroke (横) to close the "field."
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Top to Bottom: The entire top part is written before the bottom part.
Center before Wings: The central vertical is written before the side dots.
Enclose before Close: The outer structure of the "field" is written before the final closing stroke.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 当 is a great example of how a concrete image evolved into abstract meanings. It is a simplified form of the traditional character 當, which is classified as a 形声文字 (keisei moji) or phonetic-ideographic compound.
Let's break down the original components of 當:
Semantic Component (Meaning): 田 (Den)
The bottom part means "rice field." In ancient societies, rice fields were the most important measure of a family's wealth and social standing.
Phonetic Component (Sound): 尚 (Shō)
This component provided the ancient Chinese pronunciation. The character 尚 itself means "to value" or "still more."
The Combined Meaning and Evolution:
The original meaning of 當 (当) was "to be equal in value to," specifically referring to land or property.
Imagine two plots of land (田). If they are "equal in value," they are a "match" for each other. This core idea of "correspondence" and "being a match" is the key that unlocks all its modern meanings:
To Hit a Target: An arrow that "hits" corresponds perfectly with the bullseye.
To Be Correct: A correct answer "matches" the truth.
To Apply To: A rule that "applies" to a situation is a "match" for it.
To Serve As: A person who "serves as" a manager is a "match" for that role.
That Very [Thing]: "That day" (当日) is the day that "matches" the event in question.
The character visually represents the idea of one thing (the top part) being appropriately placed upon or corresponding to another (the foundational rice field).
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the different uses of 当.
As a Verb "To Hit/Be Correct" (あたる):
Romaji: Watashi no yosō ga atatta.
English: My prediction was correct.
Romaji: Kuji ga atatta!
English: I won the lottery! (Lit: The lottery ticket hit!)
くじが当たった！
私の予想が当たった。
As "Of Course" (とう):
Romaji: Sore wa tōzen desu.
English: That is only natural. / That's a matter of course.
それは当然です。
As "That Very [Thing]" (とう):
Romaji: Tōjitsu no tenki wa hare deshita.
English: The weather on that very day was sunny.
当日の天気は晴れでした。
Summary
Meaning: To hit, to be correct, to apply to, to serve as, that very (thing).
Writing: 6 strokes. Write the top part 尚 first, then the bottom part 田.
Origin: A simplified form of 當, a phonetic-ideographic compound. Its original meaning was "to be equal in value to" (like two plots of land/田), from which the core concept of "correspondence" or "being a match" developed. This single idea explains all its modern uses, from hitting a target to being correct or taking on a role.