N3Relationships and Topics

名詞 + にとって

Q: Is "Confusing with 〜に対して (towards a target)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜に対して to express an action or behavior directed towards a target.". 〜に対して is used to express an action or behavior directed towards a target, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

Q: Is "Using it for an action done 'for the sake of' someone" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜のために to express an action done for the sake of someone.". 〜のために is used to express an action done for the sake of someone, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

Q: Is "Confusing with 〜として (as / in the capacity of)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 〜として to express a person or thing in a particular capacity or role.". 〜として is used to express a person or thing in a particular capacity or role, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

for / from the standpoint of

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "名詞 + にとって" expresses an opinion, evaluation, or judgment from the perspective of a specific person or group. It emphasizes the viewpoint or attitude of the subject towards a particular situation or issue. This pattern is often used in formal or written Japanese, and it can convey a sense of objectivity or detachment.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Nominative form	N + にとって	私にとって
Nominative form	N + にとっての + N	私にとっての友達

Examples

Example Sentences

私にとって一番大切なのは家族です。

Watashi ni totte ichiban taisetsu na no wa kazoku desu.

From my perspective, family is the most important thing.

私 (I) にとって (from my perspective) 一番 (the most) 大切な (important)のは (is) 家族 (family)です (it is)

留学生にとって漢字を覚えるのは大変です。

Ryūgakusei ni totte kanji o oboeru no wa taihen desu.

From the perspective of international students, learning Chinese characters is difficult.

留学生 (international students) にとって (from the perspective of) 漢字 (Chinese characters) を覚える (to learn)のは (is) 大変 (difficult)です (it is)

これは現代人にとって欠かせない道具だ。

Kore wa gendaijin ni totte kakusenai dōgu da.

From the perspective of modern people, this is an indispensable tool.

これ (this) は (is) 現代人 (modern people) にとって (from the perspective of) 欠かせない (indispensable) 道具 (tool)だ (it is)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective. It is often used in formal or written Japanese, and it can convey a sense of objectivity or detachment. The subject of the sentence is the person or group from whose perspective the opinion or evaluation is being expressed.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Confusing with 〜に対して (towards a target)

Use 〜に対して to express an action or behavior directed towards a target.

〜に対して is used to express an action or behavior directed towards a target, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

Using it for an action done 'for the sake of' someone

Use 〜のために to express an action done for the sake of someone.

〜のために is used to express an action done for the sake of someone, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

Confusing with 〜として (as / in the capacity of)

Use 〜として to express a person or thing in a particular capacity or role.

〜として is used to express a person or thing in a particular capacity or role, whereas 〜にとって is used to express an opinion or evaluation from a specific perspective.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the reading comprehension section. Be careful to distinguish it from other similar patterns, such as 〜に対して and 〜として.

In context