当人

• Reading: とうにん
• Romaji: tounin
• Kanji breakdown: 当 (tou) — the relevant, concerned, hit; 人 (nin) — person
• Pronunciation: /toː.niɴ/

Meaning

The person concerned; the person in question or the said individual.

A noun referring to the specific person being discussed or involved in a matter. Similar to 本人 (the person themselves) but 当人 often carries a slightly more detached, third-person perspective — talking about someone rather than directly to them. Common in news, legal contexts, and gossip. Often used in the pattern 当人は～ (the person in question...) to report what someone thinks or feels about their own situation.

Examples

1. 周りは心配しているが当人はまったく気にしていない。 Everyone around them is worried, but the person in question doesn't care at all.
2. 当人の同意なしに個人情報を公開してはいけない。 You must not disclose personal information without the consent of the person concerned.
3. 噂が広まっているが当人はまだ何も知らないようだ。 Rumors are spreading, but the person in question apparently doesn't know anything yet.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, news, discussion, interpersonal

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 当 (tou, the relevant/concerned) + 人 (nin, person). Literally 'the concerned person,' with 当 functioning as a demonstrative meaning 'the one in question.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated