辺(あた)り

あたり
noun
vicinity, neighborhood, around
See also: 当(あ)たり (hit, success)
1. vicinity, neighborhood
The area near or surrounding a place.
この辺(あた)りは静(しず)かだ。
It's quiet around here.
この辺(あた)りに銀行(ぎんこう)はありますかか。
Is there a bank around here?
駅(えき)の辺(あた)りで待(ま)っているので、着(つ)いたら電話(でんわ)してください。
I'll be waiting near the station, so please call when you arrive.
2. around, approximately
Used to indicate an approximate location, time, or amount.
3時(じ)辺(あた)りに来(く)ると思(おも)う。
I think they'll come around 3 o'clock.
千(せん)円(えん)辺(あた)りで買(か)える。
You can buy it for around 1,000 yen.
来週(らいしゅう)辺(あた)りに一度(いちど)会(あ)って話(はなし)をしませんか。
Shall we meet up around next week and talk?

辺(あた)り has two main uses: indicating a physical vicinity (sense 1) and indicating approximation of time, amount, or location (sense 2). It is very common in everyday conversation.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • この辺(あた)り: around here
  • ～の辺(あた)り: near ~, around ~
  • 3時(じ)辺(あた)り: around 3 o'clock
  • 1000円(えん)辺(あた)り: around 1,000 yen
  • 来週(らいしゅう)辺(あた)り: around next week

WRITING:
Often written in hiragana as あたり, especially in casual contexts. The kanji 辺(あた)り is standard; 周(あた)り (emphasizing surroundings) is an alternative.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 近(ちか)く: nearby (more specific about closeness)
  • 付近(ふきん): vicinity (more formal)
  • ぐらい/くらい: about, approximately (for quantities and time, but not places)

CAUTION:
Do not confuse with 当(あ)たり (hit, success, winning) — same reading, different kanji.

Related Words

Synonym: 付近(ふきん) (vicinity (formal))
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:15 · Revised 2026.4.5 15:38
01500/01770_atari