Meaning and Usage
The word 対象 (たいしょう) means "target" or "object" and is commonly used to refer to the person, group, or thing that is the focus of an action, study, or service. It is a formal noun often seen in academic, business, or official contexts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter 対象 when talking about surveys, research, marketing, or programs where a specific group is targeted. For example, a survey might have a 対象 group defined by age or occupation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 対象となる (たいしょうとなる): to become the target/object
- 対象者 (たいしょうしゃ): the person who is the target
- 対象年齢 (たいしょうねんれい): target age range
- 対象地域 (たいしょうちいき): target area/region
These collocations help specify who or what is being targeted.
Register and Nuance
対象 is a neutral to formal term and is rarely used in casual conversation. It implies a clear focus or scope and is often used in written or professional Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 対象 with 目的 (もくてき, purpose) or 目標 (もくひょう, goal). 対象 refers to the target person or thing, not the purpose or goal itself. Remember 対象 is about "who/what" is targeted, not "why" or "what for."