Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“Toward,” “against,” “in contrast to,” or “in response to.”
🎯 Primary Function
To mark the object or recipient of an action/emotion (Target), or to introduce a clause that stands in direct opposition to the preceding clause (Contrast).
📋 Grammar Structure
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) + の + に対して / Noun + に対して
Verb/Adjective (Negative Plain Form) + の + に対して
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Very frequently used in business communication, official statements, academic writing, and polite requests.
Informal Situations
Rarely used, as it sounds stiff and overly formal. Simple 「に」 or 「と比べて」 are preferred.
Written Language
Extremely common in newspapers, reports, essays, and legal documents.
Spoken Language
Used in formal speeches, presentations, or serious discussions, but generally avoided in daily conversation.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Contrast or Comparison (A vs. B)
This is the most common use in formal writing, where two facts or situations are placed in sharp opposition. Often follows a complete clause with の.
Example: 欧米では夏休みが長いのに対して、日本では短い。 (In Europe and America, the summer break is long, whereas in Japan it is short.)
Indicating the Target or Recipient of an Action/Attitude
Marks the person, group, or thing that is the target of an emotion, action, or attitude (e.g., love, criticism, response). This usage is more formal than simple 「に」.
Example: 会社は社員の意見に対して真摯に向き合った。 (The company earnestly faced the employees’ opinions.)
Expressing Opposition or Confrontation
Used when an action or attitude is directed *against* a certain object, idea, or decision.
Example: 彼の提案に対して反対意見を述べた。 (I stated my opposing opinion against his proposal.)
Frequency
High in formal/written contexts; Moderate in spoken language.
Difficulty
N3-N2 Intermediate/Advanced
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
東京は人口が多いのに対して、田舎は少ない。
Furigana: とうきょうはじんこうがおおいのに対して、いなかはすくない。
Romaji: Tōkyō wa jinkō ga ōi no ni taishite, inaka wa sukunai.
English: Tokyo has a large population, whereas the countryside has a small one.
Example #2
彼は部下に対してとても厳しい。
Furigana: かれはぶかにたいしてとてもきびしい。
Romaji: Kare wa buka ni taishite totemo kibishii.
English: He is very strict toward his subordinates.
Example #3
お客様に対して誠意をもって対応いたします。
Furigana: おきゃくさまにたいしてせいいをもってたいおういたします。
Romaji: Okyaku-sama ni taishite seii o motte taiō itashimasu.
English: We will respond with sincerity toward our customers.
Example #4
前年同期に対して売上が20%増加した。
Furigana: ぜんねんどうきにたいしてうりあげが20パーセントぞうかした。
Romaji: Zennen dōki ni taishite uriage ga nijuu pāsento zōka shita.
English: The sales increased by 20% compared to the same period last year.
Example #5
彼はいつも他人の意見に対して批判的だ。
Furigana: かれはいつもたにんのいけんにたいしてひはんてきだ。
Romaji: Kare wa itsumo tanin no iken ni taishite hihanteki da.
English: He is always critical of other people’s opinions.
Example #6
先生は生徒一人一人に対して丁寧に指導した。
Furigana: せんせいはせいとひとりひとりにたいしてていねいにしどうした。
Romaji: Sensei wa seito hitori hitori ni taishite teinei ni shidō shita.
English: The teacher carefully instructed each and every student.
Example #7
質問に対して明確に答える。
Furigana: しつもんにたいしてめいかくにこたえる。
Romaji: Shitsumon ni taishite meikaku ni kotaeru.
English: To answer clearly in response to the question.
Example #8
兄は外交的な性格であるのに対して、弟は内向的だ。
Furigana: あにはがいこうてきなせいかくであるのにたいして、おとうとはないこうてきだ。
Romaji: Ani wa gaikō-teki na seikaku de aru no ni taishite, otōto wa naikō-teki da.
English: While the older brother has an outgoing personality, the younger brother is introverted.
Example #9
政府の決定に対して抗議する市民がいた。
Furigana: せいふのけっていにたいしてこうぎするしみんがいた。
Romaji: Seifu no kettei ni taishite kōgi suru shimin ga ita.
English: There were citizens who protested against the government’s decision.
Example #10
この製品は値段が高いのに対して、性能はそれほど良くない。
Furigana: このせいひんはねだんがたかいのにたいして、せいのうはそれほどよくない。
Romaji: Kono seihin wa nedan ga takai no ni taishite, seinō wa sore hodo yoku nai.
English: Although this product is expensive, its performance is not that good.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Emphasis on Target and Formality
When marking the target of an action or emotion, 「に対して」 adds a layer of formality and emphasizes the subject’s relationship *with* the target. It is often used with abstract actions/emotions (respect, criticism, response).
Example: 先生に対して礼儀を尽くす。
Contrastive Function (Whereas)
When showing contrast, it functions similarly to “whereas” or “in contrast to.” The contrast is typically between two distinct subjects or situations.
Example: A社はコストを削減したのに対して、B社は投資を増やした。
Common Verb Pairings
It frequently pairs with verbs of communication or attitude such as 答える (kotaeru), 批判する (hihan suru), 感謝する (kansha suru), or 期待する (kitai suru).
Example: 質問に対してお答えします。
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 毎日、友達に対して挨拶をする。
✅ Use simple 「に」 or 「と」.
Using 「に対して」 in casual conversation or when a simple direction particle is sufficient can make speech sound unnatural, overly formal, or unnecessarily aggressive.
❌ この服は安いに対して、品質もいい。
✅ Use the plain form of the verb/adjective followed by のに対して.
When contrasting two clauses, the preceding clause often needs the nominalizer 「の」, especially if it ends in an adjective or verb, to clearly set up the contrast.
❌ 駅に対してまっすぐ歩く。
✅ Use 「に」 or similar expressions for simple spatial direction.
「に対して」 means “toward” in an abstract sense (e.g., attitude, response, comparison), not usually in a literal physical direction.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High (Formal/Polite)
Social Situations: Essential for professional settings, customer service (Keigo), giving reports, and presenting serious arguments.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese. No significant regional variation in usage or meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
に対して vs. と比べて (to kurabete)
「に対して」 emphasizes a sharp, opposing contrast or indicates the target of an action. 「と比べて」 is strictly for comparison, often implying a simple similarity or difference without necessarily opposition.
When to use: Use 「に対して」 when asserting a conflicting fact (contrast) or when focusing on an attitude/action toward a specific entity (target). Use 「と比べて」 when making a general comparison.
に対して vs. に (ni)
Both mark a target, but 「に対して」 is far more formal and is used for abstract targets (opinions, attitudes, groups). Simple 「に」 is used for direction, time, or simple physical recipients.
When to use: Use 「に対して」 in formal writing, business, or when discussing attitudes like criticism or respect. Use simple 「に」 for everyday actions like “giving a book to a friend.”
📝 Conjugation Notes
When expressing contrast using a full clause (V/Adj), the preceding clause often takes the nominalizing particle 「の」 (V/i-adj plain form + のに対して; na-adj + なのに対して). When targeting a Noun, no particles are necessary between the Noun and に対して.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The particle に (ni) and the noun/prefix 対 (tai) should be pronounced clearly. The accent falls naturally on the second syllable: に・たい・して.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of the kanji 対 (TAI) meaning “opposition” or “to face.” 「に対して」 literally means “facing towards [something/someone],” helping you remember both the ‘target’ and ‘contrast’ meanings.
Other Grammar
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