1.
to hit, to apply
To make something hit a target; to apply something to.
的に当てる。
To hit the target.
光を当てる。
To shine light on.
ボールを壁に当てて遊んだ。
I played by throwing a ball against the wall.
2.
to guess correctly
To get the right answer; to correctly identify.
答えを当ててください。
Please guess the answer.
犯人を当ててみてください。
Try to guess who the culprit is.
彼女は私の誕生日をぴったり当てた。
She guessed my birthday exactly right.
当てる is a transitive ichidan verb with two core meanings: physically hitting a target, and correctly guessing.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 当たる (intransitive, to hit/be hit)
ASPECT (ている):
当てている indicates ongoing action of applying or aiming something.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 的に当てる: to hit a target
- 光を当てる: to shine light on
- 日に当てる: to expose to sunlight
- 答えを当てる: to guess the answer correctly
- くじを当てる: to win a lottery
- 人に当てる: to call on someone (in class)
NOTE:
The 'guess correctly' meaning often appears in games and quizzes: 犯人を当てる (identify the culprit).