あて

あて is a versatile noun expressing the concept of something to rely on or aim for.

Writing

• Can be written as 当(あ)て, but hiragana is common

Sense 1 - prospect

• An expectation or hope for something
• Something one is counting on or relying on

Sense 2 - target

• A destination or goal
• A person one relies upon

Common expressions

• あてがない (to have no prospect/plan)
• あてにする (to count on, rely on)
• あてにならない (to be unreliable)
• あてがはずれる (expectations fall through)
• あてもなく (aimlessly, without destination)

Common collocations

• 収入(しゅうにゅう)のあて (income prospect)
• 就職(しゅうしょく)のあて (job prospect)
• あてを失(うしな)う (to lose one's prospect/plan)

Usage

• Often used in negative contexts (あてがない, あてにならない)
• Suggests something uncertain or hoped-for rather than guaranteed

Register: Neutral to informal.