N3Relationships and Topics

名詞 + に対して

Q: Is "Confusing with 〜について (topic of thought vs target of action)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜について when discussing a topic or idea, and use 〜に対して when discussing a target or direction.". The key difference between these two patterns is the focus of the action or feeling. 〜について emphasizes the topic or idea, while 〜に対して emphasizes the target or direction.

Q: Is "Confusing with 〜にとって (perspective vs target)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜にとって when discussing a perspective or viewpoint, and use 〜に対して when discussing a target or direction.". The key difference between these two patterns is the focus of the action or feeling. 〜にとって emphasizes the perspective or viewpoint, while 〜に対して emphasizes the target or direction.

Q: Is "Misusing in a contrastive sentence without two distinct subjects" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use a contrastive sentence with two distinct subjects, such as yesterday and today.". The pattern 〜に対して is often used in contrastive sentences to show a difference between two things. Make sure to use two distinct subjects in the sentence.

towards / regarding / in contrast to

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "名詞 + に対して" is used to indicate a target toward which an action, attitude, or feeling is directed. It can also be used to show contrast between two things. This pattern is often used to express a relationship between two entities, such as a person and their attitude, or a situation and its consequences. The nuance of this pattern is to emphasize the direction or focus of the action or feeling, rather than just stating a fact or opinion.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Nominative form	N + に対して	目上の人に対しては敬語を使いましょう。
Dative form	N + に対する + N	客の苦情に対する店長の対応が良かった。
Genitive form	N + の + N + に対して	彼の考えに対して、多くの人が賛成した。

Examples

Example Sentences

目上の人に対しては敬語を使いましょう。

Mebeshita hito ni tsuite wa keigo o tsukaimashou.

We should use polite language towards people of higher status.

目上の人 (people of higher status), に対して (towards), は (particle), 敬語を使いましょう (use polite language)

昨日とは対照的に今日はとても寒いです。

Kinou to wa toshiteki ni kyō wa totemo samui desu.

Yesterday was completely different from today, which is very cold.

昨日とは (yesterday and), 対照的に (in contrast to), 今日は (today), とても寒い (very cold)

客の苦情に対して店長が丁寧に謝った。

Kyaku no kujō ni tsuite tenchō ga teine ni ageta.

The manager apologized politely in response to the customer's complaint.

客の苦情 (customer's complaint), に対して (towards), 店長が (the manager), 丁寧に謝った (apologized politely)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is often used in formal or polite language to express respect or courtesy towards someone or something. It can also be used to show contrast or comparison between two things. When using this pattern, make sure to use the correct form of the noun and the correct particle.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Confusing with 〜について (topic of thought vs target of action)

Use 〜について when discussing a topic or idea, and use 〜に対して when discussing a target or direction.

The key difference between these two patterns is the focus of the action or feeling. 〜について emphasizes the topic or idea, while 〜に対して emphasizes the target or direction.

Confusing with 〜にとって (perspective vs target)

Use 〜にとって when discussing a perspective or viewpoint, and use 〜に対して when discussing a target or direction.

The key difference between these two patterns is the focus of the action or feeling. 〜にとって emphasizes the perspective or viewpoint, while 〜に対して emphasizes the target or direction.

Misusing in a contrastive sentence without two distinct subjects

Use a contrastive sentence with two distinct subjects, such as yesterday and today.

The pattern 〜に対して is often used in contrastive sentences to show a difference between two things. Make sure to use two distinct subjects in the sentence.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the noun and the correct particle. Also, pay attention to the nuance of the pattern and use it correctly to express the intended meaning.

In context