Japanese word

当て字

Pronunciation

Romajiateji

Meaning

  • nounphonetic kanji

Example

名前に当て字を使います。na mae ni a te ji o tsuka i ma su

I use phonetic kanji in names.

Illustration for 当て字 (phonetic kanji)

More examples

漢字の意味ではなく、音に合わせて当て字を選びます。kan ji no i mi de wa na ku oto ni a wa se te a te ji o era bi ma su

We choose phonetic kanji based on their sounds rather than their meanings.

Core concept

It uses kanji as flexible labels, letting their sounds or selected meanings represent a word without requiring the normal kanji reading.

Common phrases

  • 当て字を使うa te ji o tsuka u

    use phonetic kanji

  • 当て字で書くa te ji de ka ku

    write in phonetic kanji

Similar words

借字kariji: Kanji are borrowed to represent a word by sound, with little or no use of their usual meanings.

Definition in Japanese

漢字を、その音や意味を借りて、別の語の表記に用いること。また、その漢字。kan ji o so no oto ya i mi o ka ri te betsu no go no hyō ki ni mochi i ru ko to ma ta so no kan ji

Word origin

当て字 (ateji) is formed from 当て (ate, "assignment") and 字 (ji, "character"), with 当て coming from 当てる (ateru, "to apply") and referring to characters applied to a word.

Usage tips

  • In personal names, 当て字 (ateji) can let the chosen kanji add a desired association while the reading supplies the name's sound.

Other meanings

  • substitute characternoun

Word lists with this word