1.
to address (a letter)
To write a recipient's name on a letter or package.
手紙を田中さん宛てに送る。
To send a letter addressed to Mr. Tanaka.
荷物を山田さん宛てに送った。
I sent the package addressed to Ms. Yamada.
宛名を書いてから手紙を出す。
I write the addressee's name before sending the letter.
2.
to direct at, to allocate
To assign something to a specific purpose or person.
時間を勉強に宛てる。
To allocate time for studying.
資金を研究に宛てる。
To allocate funds to research.
休日を旅行の準備に宛てた。
I devoted my day off to preparing for the trip.
宛てる means to address (a letter) or to allocate/direct something toward a purpose.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を and に particles
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 手紙を～宛てに送る: to send a letter addressed to ~
- 時間を～に宛てる: to allocate time to ~
- 資金を～に宛てる: to allocate funds to ~
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 宛先: address, recipient (on mail)
- 宛名: addressee's name
- ～宛: addressed to ~ (suffix)
NOTE:
Don't confuse with 当てる (to hit, to apply) or 充てる (to assign, to fill a role).