あてがう

あてがう
verb godan
to apply, to allot
1. to apply, to put against, to press (something) to
Describes physically placing something against another surface.
傷口(きずぐち)にガーゼをあてがう。
Apply gauze to the wound.
(みみ)受話器(じゅわき)をあてがった。
I put the receiver to my ear.
(かべ)定規(じょうぎ)をあてがって(せん)()いた。
I drew a line by pressing a ruler against the wall.
2. to allot, to assign, to allocate, to provide
Used when assigning roles, rooms, or resources to someone.
新入社員(しんにゅうしゃいん)仕事(しごと)をあてがう。
Assign work to the new employee.
(きゃく)部屋(へや)をあてがった。
I allocated a room to the guest.
子供(こども)には(ふる)教科書(きょうかしょ)があてがわれた。
The children were given old textbooks.

Usually written in hiragana. Also written as ()てがう or ()てがう.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 部屋(へや)をあてがう: to assign a room
  • 仕事(しごと)をあてがう: to assign work