Japanese word

宛てる

Pronunciation

Romajiateru

Meaning

  • verbaddress

Example

先生に手紙を宛てます。sen sei ni te gami o a te ma su

I address the letter to my teacher.

Illustration for 宛てる (address)

More examples

私は正式な申請書を事務局に宛てます。watashi wa sei shiki na shin sei sho o ji mu kyoku ni a te ma su

I address the formal application to the office.

Core concept

It marks a person as the intended recipient toward whom a letter or message is directed.

Common phrases

  • 手紙を先生に宛てるte gami o sen sei ni a te ru

    address a letter to a teacher

  • 申請書を事務局に宛てるshin sei sho o ji mu kyoku ni a te ru

    address an application to the office

  • 返事を恩師に宛てるhen ji o on shi ni a te ru

    address a reply to one's former teacher

Similar words

向けるmukeru: To direct something toward a person, place, or purpose.
送るokuru: To send a letter, message, or item to a person or place.
届けるtodokeru: To deliver a letter, message, or item to its intended recipient.
出すdasu: To send a letter or document to a person or organization.

Definition in Japanese

手紙や文書などを、特定の相手に向けて送る。te gami ya bun sho na do o toku tei no ai te ni mu ke te oku ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 宛てる (ateru) comes from the native verb あてる (ateru), "to direct toward," with 宛てる used for directing something to a recipient.

Usage tips

  • In English, address may describe putting a destination on an envelope, but this Japanese verb highlights the recipient as the target of the message.

Word lists with this word