当たり【あたり】

当たり (あたり) is used to express "per" or "each", indicating a rate or ratio per unit. It attaches to a noun (typically a counter or unit expression) to show how much of something corresponds to one unit of that noun.

Basic usage

当たり follows a noun that represents the unit being measured against. It is equivalent to English "per," "for each," or "apiece."

The pattern is very common with numerical counters like ひとり一人、いっこ一個、 いちかい一回、いちねん一年 etc., but it can also be used with broader nouns.

Common patterns

当たり is frequently seen in the following combinations:

• 一人当たり – per person
• 一日当たり / 一日あたり – per day
• 一回当たり – per time / per session
• 一キロ当たり – per kilogram
• 一時間当たり – per hour
• 一年当たり – per year

Written forms

当たり can be written in kanji (あたり当たり) or in hiragana (あたり). In formal or statistical contexts, kanji is more common. In everyday speech and casual writing, hiragana is also common.

Particle usage

When 当たり modifies what follows, it often takes the particle の to connect to the next noun, or functions adverbially within the sentence.