に当たる
Correspond to, Amounts to, Equals to, Is appropriate
Structure
Noun + に当たる + Noun
Explanation
As we have seen in the lesson for 当たり, the verb 当たる can carry a meaning close to に対して, meaning 'regarding' or 'in relation to'. Consequently, when paired with the case marking particle に, the phrase に当たる expresses ideas like 'to be equivalent to', 'to be', 'to mark (a point in time)', or 'to be fitting for'. While these uses might appear distinct, we will soon see how they are connected.
To form this grammar point, に当たる is placed after noun (A), which acts as a basis for comparison or a point of equivalence. The corresponding element, (B), can follow に当たる directly or appear elsewhere in the sentence, provided it remains distinct from (A).
- 英語の「Thank you」は日本語の「ありがとう」に当たる言葉だ。The English phrase 'Thank you' corresponds to 'arigatou' in Japanese.
- あの方は私の叔父に当たる人です。That person is my uncle.
- 社長はスズキさんのお父さんに当たる。The company president is Suzuki-san's father.
- 今日は日本に着いてから３日目に当たる。Today marks the third day since I arrived in Japan.
The connection between に対して and に当たる lies in their relationship between two elements. With に対して, (B) presents a contrast or opposition to (A). However, with に当たる, (B) is shown to be an equivalent or match for (A). Because both grammar points relate (A) and (B), the most basic translation might simply connect them, unless the speaker wishes to emphasize either the contrast or the equivalence.
- 兄はスポーツが得意なのに対して、私は勉強が得意だ。My older brother is good at sports, whereas I am good at studying.
- １ドルは日本円でおよそ１５０円に当たる。One dollar is equivalent to about 150 Japanese yen.
Examples
彼はお父さんの弟さんだから、君のおじさんに当たるんだよ。
He's your father's younger brother, so he is your uncle.
イギリスの女王は、日本の天皇に当たる存在です。
The Queen of England is the equivalent of the Emperor of Japan.
１インチは約２．５４センチメートルに当たる。
One inch is equivalent to about 2.54 centimeters.
日本の「高校」に当たる学校は、アメリカでは「high school」と呼ばれる。
The school corresponding to a Japanese 'koukou' is called 'high school' in America.
今年の売り上げは去年の１２０％に当たる額に達した。
This year's sales reached an amount equivalent to 120% of last year's.
フランス語の「ボンジュール」は、日本語の「こんにちは」に当たる。
The French 'bonjour' is equivalent to the Japanese 'konnichiwa'.
彼の誕生日はクリスマス・イブに当たるので、いつもパーティーで盛り上がる。
His birthday falls on Christmas Eve, so it's always celebrated with a lively party.
この公園の面積は、東京ドームおよそ５個分に当たる。
The area of this park is equivalent to roughly five Tokyo Domes.
日本の会社の「部長」に当たる役職は、英語では「Department Manager」や「Director」などと訳される。
The position corresponding to 'bucho' in a Japanese company is translated as 'Department Manager' or 'Director' in English.
アリス：「このユーロ、円だといくらに当たるの？」
ケンジ：「ええと、今日のレートだと１６０円ぐらいだね。」
Alice: 'How much does this euro correspond to in yen?'
Kenji: 'Let's see, at today's rate it's about 160 yen.'
合格者は受験者全体の１０人に１人の割合に当たる。
Successful applicants account for a ratio of one in every ten examinees.
英語の「sibling」に当たる便利な一言は、残念ながら日本語にはない。
Unfortunately, there is no convenient single word in Japanese equivalent to the English 'sibling'.