当

Correct, Right, Success

Level 29

How this kanji evolved

Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.

The character 当 (dāng) originated in ancient China as a pictograph representing 'equal land division' or 'facing something.' In its earliest forms found in bronze inscriptions, it combined 田 (field) and an element suggesting balance or a shovel. It evolved through clerical script into its modern kanji form. The core meanings of 'to be,' 'to match,' 'should,' 'to bear responsibility,' and 'to serve as' all stem from this concept of balanced correspondence and facing what is appropriate. Arrived in Japan: The character 当, along with the Chinese writing system, was introduced to Japan around the 5th century AD, likely through Korean scholars and imported Chinese texts. It was formally adopted and integrated into the Japanese writing system during the Asuka and Nara periods (6th-8th centuries).

Reading reference

Onyomi (音読み)

トウ

Kunyomi (訓読み)

あ

Related Vocabulary

proper, reasonable, right, appropriate

corresponding to, being applicable to, being relevant to, coming under, falling under, fulfilling (requirements), meeting (conditions), qualifying for

being in charge (of an area of responsibility), being responsible (for a work role, etc.)

suitable, proper, appropriate, adequate, fit, fair, perfunctory, half-minded, sloppy, lazy, careless, noncommittal

hit, success, guess, prediction, affability, friendliness, sensation, touch, bruise (on fruit), atari, situation in which a stone or chain of stones may be captured on the next move, bite (of a fish on a hook)

natural, reasonable, obvious, usual, common, ordinary, commonplace, the norm

to be hit, to strike, to touch, to be in contact, to be affixed, to be equivalent to, to be applicable, to apply to, to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.), to be selected (in a lottery, etc.), to win, to be successful

to hit, to expose, to apply (e.g. patch), to put on, to put against, to hold on, to hold against, to allot, to call on someone (e.g. in class), to guess (an answer), to make a hit (e.g. in a lottery)

kanji used as a phonetic symbol, instead of for the meaning, phonetic-equivalent character, substitute character, ateji, kanji used for their meaning, irrespective of reading