Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“At the time of” or “on the occasion of” a particular, often significant, event or situation.
🎯 Primary Function
To indicate the specific time or occasion when an action takes place, emphasizing the importance or formality of that moment.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (Dictionary form) + に際して
Noun + に際して
※する verbs often appear as Noun + に際して (e.g., 卒業するに際して or 卒業に際して)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Frequently used in formal speeches, announcements, and official documents.
Informal Situations
Almost never used in casual conversation.
Written Language
Very common in formal written contexts like official letters, reports, and public notices.
Spoken Language
Used in formal spoken contexts such as speeches, ceremonies, and formal presentations.
💡 Common Applications
Making announcements or giving instructions related to an important event.
Used when outlining procedures or important points that need to be observed during a specific event or situation.
Example: ご入場に際しましては、チケットをご提示ください。
(Go nyuujou ni saishimashite wa, chiketto o goteiji kudasai.)
When entering, please present your ticket.
Describing actions taken during a significant milestone or transition.
Applies when referring to actions or feelings associated with major life events or professional transitions.
Example: 卒業に際し、先生方に心から感謝申し上げます。
(Sotsugyou ni saishi, sensei-gata ni kokoro kara kansha moushiagemasu.)
On the occasion of my graduation, I express my heartfelt gratitude to my teachers.
Providing guidelines or precautions in specific circumstances.
Used to introduce advice or warnings that are relevant to a particular situation or event.
Example: 海外渡航に際しては、パスポートの有効期限をご確認ください。
(Kaigai tokou ni saishite wa, pasupooto no yuukou kigen o kakunin kudasai.)
When traveling overseas, please check the validity period of your passport.
Frequency
Moderate in formal contexts, rare in daily conversation.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2), mainly due to its formal nature and nuance compared to similar expressions.
Example Sentences
会議の開始に際し、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。
On the occasion of the start of the meeting, I would like to say a few words.
新しい事業を始めるに際して、多くの準備が必要です。
When starting a new business, a lot of preparation is necessary.
本サービスのご利用に際して、以下の規約に同意していただきます。
When using this service, you are required to agree to the following terms.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Formality
～に際して is highly formal and should be used in formal or public settings, not in casual conversation.
Example: X 友達に会うに際して、プレゼントを買った。(Incorrect – too formal for a casual situation)
O 友達に会うときに、プレゼントを買った。(Correct – using the more neutral ～ときに)
Specific Occasion
It refers to a specific, often singular or noteworthy event or situation, rather than a repeated or general condition.
Example: O 結婚に際し、新しい生活への期待と不安を感じています。
(Kekkon ni saishi, atarashii seikatsu e no kitai to fuan o kanjite imasu.)
On the occasion of getting married, I feel both anticipation and anxiety towards my new life.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it in casual conversation.
✅ Use less formal alternatives like ～とき or ～際に.
～に際して carries a strong sense of formality and is unnatural in everyday casual speech.
❌ Using it for repeated or general actions/situations.
✅ Use ～ときは or ～場合は for general conditions or repeated actions.
～に際して typically refers to a one-time, specific, or significant event, not a general rule or repeated occurrence.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High. Using ～に際して shows respect for the occasion and the listener/reader.
Social Situations: Used in formal greetings, public announcements, official procedures, formal writing (business letters, contracts).
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations in usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
～に際して vs. ～ときに
～に際して is much more formal and refers to a specific, significant occasion. ～ときに is a general term for “when” and can be used in any situation, formal or informal, for specific or repeated actions.
When to use: Use ～に際して for formal, important occasions. Use ～ときに for general “when” statements.
～に際して vs. ～際に
～際に is also formal and similar in meaning (“at the time of”). ～に際して often carries a slightly stronger nuance of a particularly important or pivotal moment compared to ～際に, which can sometimes refer to more routine formal procedures.
When to use: Both are formal. ～に際して for more impactful or unique occasions, ～際に for formal procedures or moments.
～に際して vs. ～にあたって
～にあたって is similar, meaning “at the start/beginning of” or “on the occasion of” something significant, often involving preparation or resolve for what comes next. ～に際して focuses more broadly on the timing of the event itself.
When to use: Use ～にあたって when emphasizing the preparation for or start of a significant event. Use ～に際して when simply stating something happens “on the occasion of” or “when” a formal event occurs.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Connects directly to the dictionary form of verbs. Connects directly to nouns. No particle needed between the noun/verb and に際して.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ni saishite”. Pay attention to the “sai” (際) sound.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of “際” (sai) as meaning “occasion” or “verge”. So, に際して is “on the occasion of” or “at the verge of”. Associate it with formal announcements or important moments.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct sentence using ～に際して.
友達と話すに際して、スタバに行った。
この度、会社設立に際し、ご支援を賜り誠にありがとうございます。
毎日電車に乗るに際して、本を読みます。
寝るに際して、歯を磨きます。
Fill in the blank: 緊急＿＿＿＿、落ち着いて行動してください。
ときに
際に
に際して
ばあい
19 Views
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.