Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
When, at the time of, on the occasion of
🎯 Primary Function
To indicate the specific, often important or significant, timing or occasion of an action or event. It often suggests that something special or important is done in preparation for or at the beginning of that event.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (dictionary form) + にあたって / にあたり
Noun + にあたって / にあたり
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Frequently used in formal speeches, announcements, ceremonies, and official communication.
Informal Situations
Almost never used in casual, everyday conversation.
Written Language
Common in formal letters, reports, news articles, and official documents.
Spoken Language
Used in formal speeches, presentations, and ceremonies, not in typical daily dialogue.
💡 Common Applications
Beginning a major project or endeavor
Used when commencing a significant undertaking, often implying careful consideration or preparation beforehand.
Example: 事業を開始するにあたって、綿密な計画を立てました。 (Jigyō o kaishi suru ni atatte, menmitsu na keikaku o tatemashita.) – When starting the business, we made a detailed plan.
Making an important announcement or statement
Used when declaring something significant, such as a policy change, a decision, or a formal greeting.
Example: 新年のご挨拶にあたり、一言申し上げます。 (Shinnen no go aisatsu ni atari, hitokoto mōshiagemasu.) – On the occasion of the New Year’s greeting, I would like to say a few words.
Commemorating a special event or milestone
Used when marking a significant event like an anniversary, graduation, or founding day, often accompanied by a related action like giving thanks or a speech.
Example: 創立10周年を迎えるにあたって、記念式典を行います。 (Sōritsu 10-shūnen o mukaeru ni atatte, kinen shikiten o okonaimasu.) – Upon reaching our 10th anniversary, we will hold a commemorative ceremony.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal, public, or written contexts, less common in casual spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
N2
Example Sentences
新しいプロジェクトを始めるにあたって、皆様のご協力をお願いいたします。
When starting a new project, we would like to ask for everyone’s cooperation.
会社の移転にあたり、お客様にはご迷惑をおかけいたします。
Upon relocating the company, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our customers.
卒業論文を書くにあたっては、十分な資料収集が必要です。
When writing a graduation thesis, sufficient data collection is necessary.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Focus on Significant Occasions
This pattern is used for special, important, or often ceremonial events or actions, not for everyday occurrences.
Example: 〇 旅行に行くにあたって、準備をしっかりした。(Okay – “Going on a trip” can be significant) ✕ ご飯を食べるにあたって、手を洗った。(Incorrect – “Eating a meal” is too trivial)
Formal Tone
~にあたって is a relatively formal expression. It is appropriate for speeches, formal announcements, and written communication.
Example: Used in: 式典でのスピーチ (Speech at a ceremony), 会社の報告書 (Company report) Not used in: 友達との会話 (Conversation with friends)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for trivial events
✅ Use it only for important, formal, or significant occasions.
~にあたって is reserved for moments of consequence, not daily activities. Using it for something like “waking up” or “eating breakfast” is unnatural and incorrect.
❌ Using informal forms before it
✅ Ensure the verb is in the dictionary form.
The grammar requires the plain dictionary form for verbs, not casual or -te forms.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High; considered a polite and formal expression.
Social Situations: Used in public addresses, business settings, formal ceremonies, and official contexts.
Regional Variations: Standard grammar, no significant regional variations in meaning or usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
～にあたって vs. ～とき
～とき simply indicates “when” or “at the time,” applicable to any situation, formal or informal, significant or trivial. ～にあたって specifically marks a significant or special occasion and is formal.
When to use: Use ～とき for general “when” clauses. Use ～にあたって for formal, important moments, often implying preparation or special action related to that moment.
～にあたって vs. ～に際して
These are very similar and often interchangeable. ～に際して might sometimes feel slightly broader, covering the period leading up to and during the event, while ～にあたって might focus slightly more on the point of starting or the preparations. Both are formal.
When to use: They are largely interchangeable for significant formal occasions. ～に際して might be preferred if emphasizing the “face” or “point” of the event more broadly, while ～にあたって might slightly lean towards the “process of starting/preparing for” the event.
～にあたって vs. ～にあたり
～にあたり is a slightly shorter, often considered even more formal or concise version of ～にあたって, frequently found in written announcements and formal greetings.
When to use: Use ～にあたり in very formal or concise written contexts. Use ～にあたって in slightly less rigid formal spoken or written contexts.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Connects to the dictionary form of verbs or directly to nouns. E.g., 開始する + にあたって = 開始するにあたって; 移転 + にあたり = 移転にあたり.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced え・に・あ・たっ・て (e ni a tat te). The small っ causes a slight pause before the て.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it like “at the *doorstep* of a significant event.” It marks the transition into something important, often requiring special action.
Practice Exercises
新しい事業を（ ）にあたって、入念な市場調査を行った。
始める
始めること
始めた
始めていた
会社の（ ）にあたり、社員一同、より一層努力する決意です。
休憩
創立記念日
昼食
帰り
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