Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering に対して (ni taishite): Target, Contrast, and Attitude

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“towards,” “against,” “in contrast to,” “regarding,” “in response to”

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates a target of an action or attitude, shows opposition or contrast, or indicates the recipient of something.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + に対して Noun + に対する + Noun Verb (plain form) + のに対して i-adjective (plain form) + のに対して na-adjective (plain form) + なのに対して Noun + なのに対して (less common, Noun + のに対して is more typical for contrast)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal speeches, business contexts, reports, and academic writing.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in casual conversations; other particles or expressions are preferred.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese, especially in formal documents, news articles, and official statements.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken language when the situation calls for a degree of formality, like presentations or formal discussions.

💡 Common Applications

Indicating the target of an action or attitude.
Used to show who or what the action or attitude is directed towards.
Example: 先生は学生たちに対して優しく指導した。 (The teacher kindly instructed the students.)
Showing opposition or contrast.
Used to indicate something is “against” or “in contrast to” something else.
Example: 彼の意見に対して、誰も反対しなかった。 (Nobody opposed his opinion.)
Expressing comparison or contrast between two things or states.
When contrasting two subjects or situations, often followed by の.
Example: 東京は人口が多いのに対して、田舎は人口が少ない。 (In contrast to Tokyo which has a large population, the countryside has a small population.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in formal contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3). Requires understanding its multiple meanings and appropriate contexts.
Example Sentences
彼はどんな困難に対しても決して諦めない。
He never gives up against any difficulty.
会社は顧客からの苦情に対して迅速に対応した。
The company responded quickly to complaints from customers.
彼の提案に対して、賛成する人が多かった。
There were many people who agreed with his proposal.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Multiple Meanings
「に対して」 has several core meanings: “towards/to (a target)”, “against (opposition)”, and “in contrast to (comparison)”. Pay attention to the context.
Example: 先生に対して失礼な態度をとるな。(Don’t take a rude attitude towards the teacher – target) 両親の希望に対して、彼は別の道を選んだ。(Against his parents’ wishes, he chose a different path – opposition) A社は業績が伸びているのに対して、B社は低迷している。(In contrast to Company A whose performance is growing, Company B is stagnant – contrast)
Formality
「に対して」 is more formal than similar particles like 「に」 or expressions like 「と比べて」. It is often used in formal writing and speech.
Example: 会議では、参加者全員に対して資料が配布された。(In the meeting, materials were distributed to all participants. – Formal)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using 「に対して」 for simple direction/movement towards a physical location.
✅ Use 「に向かって」 instead.
「に対して」 implies a target for action, attitude, or comparison, not just physical movement towards something. 「に向かって」 is used for physical direction.
❌ Not using 「の」 when connecting a clause for contrast.
✅ Add 「の」 after the plain form of the verb/adjective, and 「な」 after the plain form of the na-adjective.
「〜のに対して」 and 「〜なのに対して」 are fixed structures for showing contrast between clauses.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally neutral to slightly formal.
Social Situations: Common in news reports, formal presentations, business communications, official statements, academic discussions, and when discussing reactions or attitudes towards a specific group or entity.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; no significant regional variations in usage or meaning.

🔍 Subtle Differences

に対して vs. について
「に対して」 focuses on an action, attitude, or comparison directed *towards* something. 「について」 means “about” or “concerning” and indicates the topic or subject.
When to use: Use 「に対して」 when an action, attitude, or contrast is aimed at a target. Use 「について」 when talking about the topic of something.
に対して vs. に比べて
「に対して」 can show contrast, but also indicates a target/opposition. 「に比べて」 is used purely for comparison (“compared to”).
When to use: Use 「に対して」 when showing contrast between two subjects or situations *or* when indicating a target/opposition. Use 「に比べて」 only when making a direct comparison in terms of degree, quantity, etc.
に対して vs. に向かって
「に対して」 can indicate a target of action/attitude. 「に向かって」 primarily indicates physical direction or moving towards a physical location/goal.
When to use: Use 「に対して」 for abstract targets, opposition, or contrast. Use 「に向かって」 for physical direction or goals.

📝 Conjugation Notes

Noun + に対して Verb (plain form) + のに対して i-adjective (plain form) + のに対して na-adjective (plain form) + なのに対して

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

「に対して」 is pronounced “ni ta-i-shi-te”. The “tai” is a single syllable with the “i” being short.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「対」 (tai) meaning “opposite” or “versus”. 「に対して」 can mean “facing something” (target/direction), “against something” (opposition), or “facing something else” (contrast).

Practice Exercises
彼の話___、誰もが真剣に耳を傾けた。 Which particle fits here to mean “towards his talk” (referring to the audience’s attitude)?
について
によって
に対して
のために
この地域の気候は温暖なの___、冬は雪が多い。 Which particle connects the clauses to show contrast?
に比べて
に対して
によって
について
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