Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“concerning,” “regarding,” “related to,” “about.”
🎯 Primary Function
To clearly specify the subject or topic that the following noun, verb, or sentence is associated with, often conveying a formal tone.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + に関する + Noun
Not applicable. Attaches only to Nouns.
Not applicable. Attaches only to Nouns.
Not applicable. Attaches only to Nouns.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Very common. Used in business, academic papers, and official statements.
Informal Situations
Less common. ‘について’ (ni tsuite) is usually preferred.
Written Language
Extremely common in news articles, reports, legal documents, and academic texts.
Spoken Language
Used in presentations, interviews, and formal discussions.
💡 Common Applications
Referring to documents, reports, or data.
Used to specify the topic of a written material. ‘に関する’ modifies the noun ‘資料’ (shiryou – documents).
Example: この問題に関する資料をご参照ください。
Making formal inquiries or statements in a professional setting.
Used to introduce the specific topic of discussion or action. ‘に関して’ functions adverbially to describe the verb ‘協議した’ (kyōgi shita – discussed).
Example: お客様からのクレームに関して、対応を協議した。
Introducing the subject matter of laws, rules, or policies.
Commonly found in news and official announcements to link the topic (環境保護) to the item (法律).
Example: 環境保護に関する新しい法律が施行された。
Frequency
High in written and formal Japanese.
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3/N2)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
新しい政策に関する会議が行われた。
Furigana: あたらしいせいさくにかんするかいぎがおこなわれた。
Romaji: Atarashii seisaku ni kansuru kaigi ga okonawareta.
English: A meeting regarding the new policy was held.
Example #2
環境問題に関して、自分の意見を述べた。
Furigana: かんきょうもんだいにかんして、じぶんのいけんをのべた。
Romaji: Kankyō mondai ni kanshite, jibun no iken o nobete.
English: I stated my opinion concerning environmental problems.
Example #3
安全規則に関する書類を提出してください。
Furigana: あんぜんきそくにかんするしょるいをていしゅつしてください。
Romaji: Anzen kisoku ni kansuru shorui o teishutsu shite kudasai.
English: Please submit the documents related to the safety regulations.
Example #4
将来の計画に関して質問があります。
Furigana: しょうらいのけいかくにかんしてしつもんがあります。
Romaji: Shōrai no keikaku ni kanshite shitsumon ga arimasu.
English: I have a question regarding your future plans.
Example #5
その事件に関するニュースを昨日見た。
Furigana: そのじけんにかんするニュースをきのうみた。
Romaji: Sono jiken ni kansuru nyūsu o kinō mita.
English: I saw the news about that incident yesterday.
Example #6
健康に関して、専門家がアドバイスをしました。
Furigana: けんこうにかんして、せんもんかがアドバイスをしました。
Romaji: Kenkō ni kanshite, senmonka ga adobaisu o shimashita.
English: The expert gave advice regarding health.
Example #7
個人のプライバシーに関する法律が改正された。
Furigana: こじんのプライバシーにかんするほうりつがかいせいされた。
Romaji: Kojin no puraibashii ni kansuru hōritsu ga kaisei sareta.
English: The law concerning individual privacy was revised.
Example #8
研究結果に関して、詳しく説明させていただきます。
Furigana: けんきゅうけっかにかんして、くわしくせつめいさせていただきます。
Romaji: Kenkyū kekka ni kanshite, kuwashiku setsumei sasete itadakimasu.
English: I will explain the research results in detail.
Example #9
お金に関する話は、少し話しにくい。
Furigana: おかねにかんするはなしは、すこしはなしにくい。
Romaji: Okane ni kansuru hanashi wa, sukoshi hanashinikui.
English: Topics related to money are a little difficult to talk about.
Example #10
教育に関して、私たちはもっと考えるべきだ。
Furigana: きょういくにかんして、わたしたちはもっとかんがえるべきだ。
Romaji: Kyōiku ni kanshite, watashitachi wa motto kangaeru beki da.
English: We should think more about education.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Adnominal vs. Adverbial Use
When using に関する, the pattern modifies the noun immediately following it (専門家 – expert), acting like an adjectival clause.
Example: その問題に関する専門家。
Function as a Particle Phrase
When using に関して, it functions adverbially, modifying the following verb or the entire sentence, typically setting the stage for the statement or question.
Example: 報告に関して、質問はありますか。
Preceded by a Noun and Particle に
Always check that the particle に is present before 関する/に関して, and that the preceding word is a noun.
Example: 政策に関する資料を準備する。
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it in too casual a conversation.
✅ 新しい法律に関しました… → 新しい法律に関して…
This pattern is not a standard polite verb form. The polite ending is applied to the main verb of the sentence, not to the grammar structure itself. ‘に関する’ and ‘に関して’ are fixed forms.
❌ Dropping the particle に and just using 関して/に関する.
✅ 環境問題に関し…
While 関し (kan shi) is technically possible as a highly formal, abbreviated form (often used in legal/written contexts), N3 learners should stick to the standard 関して or に関する.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High. The pattern naturally imparts a formal and respectful tone, making it suitable for professional and academic settings.
Social Situations: Ideal for reporting, discussing serious matters, asking formal questions, or giving presentations.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese (共通語). No significant regional variations in usage or meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
に関して (ni kanshite) vs. について (ni tsuite)
に関して is significantly more formal and indicates a stronger link of relevance or connection (e.g., related data, laws concerning X). について means “about” and is more general, focusing on the content of the discussion.
When to use: Use に関して for official documents, laws, reports, and highly formal discussions. Use について for general conversation, informal papers, or when the focus is simply “talking about” a topic.
に関して (ni kanshite) vs. にあたり (ni atari)
に関して specifies the topic. にあたり means “on the occasion of” or “at the time of” an action, indicating timing or condition, not topic.
When to use: Use に関して to introduce the subject matter. Use にあたり to introduce the context or timing of a major event or action.
📝 Conjugation Notes
関する is the dictionary form (used to modify a noun: Noun + に関する + Noun). 関して is the te-form (used to modify a verb or sentence: Noun + に関して + Verb/Sentence). Although derived from the verb 関する (to be related to), it functions as a compound particle/grammatical pattern.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Ensure the ‘n’ in ‘kan’ is clearly articulated, as the pattern is often spoken quickly in formal speeches. The rhythm should emphasize the preceding noun: [NOUN] – ni kán shite.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 関 (kan) as “connection” or “relation.” The pattern literally means “concerning/connecting to [Noun].” Link it mentally to the formal English phrases “In relation to…” or “With regard to…”
Other Grammar
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