noun
Physical or metaphorical target, such as in archery, shooting, or a goal to aim for.
矢が的に当たった。
The arrow hit the target.
彼は批判の的になった。
He became the target of criticism.
noun
The central point of attention, discussion, or activity.
彼女はいつも話題の的だ。
She is always the center of attention.
その事件は調査の的となった。
The incident became the focus of the investigation.
noun
Used in expressions like 的を射る (to hit the mark) or 的を絞る (to narrow down the point).
彼の指摘は的を射ている。
His point hits the mark.
議論の的を絞りましょう。
Let's narrow down the point of discussion.
The kanji 的 originally meant 'target' or 'mark' in Chinese. In Japanese, it retains this core meaning and is used both literally and figuratively.