Meaning & Usage
Basic Meaning
For; From the perspective of; To
Primary Function
Indicates the standpoint, perspective, or viewpoint from which something is considered, evaluated, or is significant.
Grammar Structure
Noun + にとって
Usage Contexts
Formal SituationsCommonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Informal SituationsCommonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Written LanguageFrequently appears in written language, such as articles, essays, and official documents.
Spoken LanguageAlso used naturally in spoken conversations.
Common Applications
Expressing personal opinions or feelings
Used to state what is true or important from one’s own point of view.
Example: 私にとって、家族が一番大切です。
Watashi ni totte, kazoku ga ichiban taisetsu desu.
For me, family is the most important thing.
Stating significance or value for a group/entity
Indicates what holds value or significance for a specific group, company, or abstract concept.
Example: このプロジェクトは会社にとって非常に重要だ。
Kono purojekuto wa kaisha ni totte hijou ni juuyou da.
This project is extremely important for the company.
Describing conditions or experiences relevant to someone
Used when something is easy, difficult, beneficial, or detrimental from a particular person’s perspective.
Example: 彼にとって、日本の夏は暑すぎる。
Kare ni totte, Nihon no natsu wa atsusugiru.
For him, Japanese summers are too hot.
Frequency
Moderately frequent, commonly used in expressing opinions and relevance.
Difficulty
Relatively easy to understand the basic meaning, but requires practice to grasp the nuance of “perspective” fully.
Example Sentences
旅行好きの私にとって、世界中を旅するのが夢です。
For me, who loves traveling, it is a dream to travel around the world.
学生にとって、勉強は一番の課題だ。
For students, studying is the biggest challenge.
これは子供にとって危険な場所です。
This is a dangerous place for children.
Notes & Nuances
Important Points
Always follows a noun (person, group, organization, or sometimes abstract concepts).
にとってもうすこし connects directly to a noun or noun phrase to indicate whose perspective is being expressed.
Example: 私にとって (watashi ni totte – for me), 会社にとって (kaisha ni totte – for the company), 人類にとって (jinrui ni totte – for humanity).
Expresses viewpoint, not necessarily benefit.
While sometimes implying benefit, the core meaning is “from the standpoint of” or “as far as [Noun] is concerned,” focusing on perception or significance rather than simply “for the sake of” (のために).
Example: 健康にとって良い (kenkou ni totte ii – good for health – implies benefit from the perspective of health) vs. 私にとって難しい (watashi ni totte muzukashii – difficult for me – expresses personal perception).
Common Mistakes
Confusing にとって with のために.
にとってもうすこし indicates perspective; のために indicates purpose or benefit. You use にとって when talking about what something is like *from someone’s point of view*. You use のために when talking about *doing something for someone’s benefit* or *for the purpose of* something.
Using にとって with verbs directly. にとってもうすこし must follow a noun or noun phrase. The structure is Noun + にとって. It does not attach directly to verbs.
Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. Can be used in polite and casual settings.
Social Situations: Applicable in a wide range of situations where expressing perspective is needed.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in usage.
Subtle Differences
にとってもうすこし vs. には
にとってもうすこし focuses on the subjective perspective of the noun. には can indicate a target, location, or recipient, and sometimes expresses a more general suitability or characteristic.
When to use: Use にとって when stating what is true or important from a specific entity’s viewpoint. Use には when indicating where something is placed, to whom something is given, or sometimes general applicability (e.g., この本は子供には難しい – This book is difficult *for children* – here には is also possible, sometimes interchangeable, but にとって specifically emphasizes the children’s viewpoint).
にとって vs. にとってのNoun
にとってもうすこし stands alone or is followed by particles like は, も, etc. にとっての modifies a following noun.
When to use: Use にとって when the sentence subject is the thing being viewed from the perspective. Use にとっての when the perspective noun phrase is modifying another noun.
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When to use: undefined
Conjugation Notes
にとってもうすこし does not conjugate as it is a fixed particle phrase.
Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ni-tot-te”. Ensure the double “t” (っ) causes a slight pause (促音, そくおん).
Memory Tips
Think of にとって as “NI the standpoint of TOTTE (taken)”. Imagine taking someone’s position or view point.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blank: 私（ ）、日本語の勉強はとても面白いです。
には
も
にとって
から
Which sentence correctly uses にとって?
これは読むにとって難しい本だ。
彼にとって、この知らせは嬉しいことだった。
友達にとってプレゼントを買った。
朝ご飯を食べにとって家を出た。
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