When attached to the end of numbers or counters, the noun
当(あ)たり ‘to hit’ will be used as a suffix. In these cases, the meaning is usually translated as ‘per (A)’, or ‘each (A)’. Let’s take a look at some examples.
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一個(いっこ)当(あ)たり5円(えん)で作(つく)ることができます。
We are able to make this for 5 yen each.
一食(いっしょく)当(あ)たりのカロリーは500kCal です。
It has 500 calories per serving.
While the literal meaning of
当(あ)たり is ‘to meet’ (as in ‘to come into physical contact with’), as a suffix,
当(あ)たり has a nuance that is similar to に対(たい)して ‘to be in relation to’. This similarity can be seen in the following:
(A) 当(あ)たり (B) - Regarding (A), (B) equates to it.
(A) に対(たい)して (B) - Regarding (A), (B) equates to it.
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この車(くるま)は一台(いちだい)当(あ)たり1トンあります。
This car equates to 1 ton per vehicle.
一人(ひとり)当(あ)たり5000円(えん)で入場(にゅうじょう)できます。
The price for entry per person equates to 5000 yen.