Meaning and Usage
"当人" (とうにん) refers to the person directly involved or concerned in a matter. It is a formal term often used in legal, official, or business contexts to specify the individual(s) who are the subject of discussion or action.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "当人" used when emphasizing the responsibility, opinion, or involvement of the specific person rather than others. It often appears in phrases like "当人の意見" (the opinion of the person concerned) or "当人同士" (between the parties involved).
Collocations and Patterns
- 当人の意見: the opinion of the person concerned; used to highlight whose viewpoint is being considered.
- 当人が〜する: the person concerned does something; emphasizes direct involvement.
- 当人同士で: between the parties involved; used when resolving issues or disputes.
Register and Nuance
"当人" is formal and polite, suitable for written language, official documents, and respectful speech. It is less common in casual conversation where simpler terms like "本人" (ほんにん) might be used.
Common Learner Mistake
Confusing "当人" with "本人". While both can mean "the person themselves," "当人" stresses involvement in a specific matter, often legal or official, whereas "本人" simply means "the person in question" or "the person themselves" without that nuance. Use "当人" when you want to emphasize the person's role or responsibility in a particular issue.