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宛てる (あてる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

宛あてる

あ

て

る

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

address (a letter, package, etc.)

Used specifically for writing the recipient's name and address on mail or parcels. Not used for addressing a person in speech.

封ふう筒とうに宛あて先さきを宛あててください。
Please address the envelope.
この小こ包づつみは誰だれに宛あてたものですか。
Who is this parcel addressed to?

Kanji

宛address, just like, fortunately

Similar words

送おくる
送る means 'to send' (the act of dispatching), while 宛てる is only about writing the address on the item.
書かく
書く is general 'to write'; 宛てる is specifically writing the recipient's name and address.

Etymology

The kanji 宛 is used specifically for addressing; the verb あてる is related to 当てる (to assign, to direct), but the exact historical derivation is uncertain.