Viewpoint “for …”
who is judging?
Open details
Form: N（person/group） + にとって + judgement
Use when: marking whose perspective the evaluation is from.
Avoid: times/places → use では／において instead.
Mini example
Studying abroad is important for him.
Toward / whereas
target or contrast
Open details
Form: N + に対して（は）… ｜ に対する + N
Use when: show stance toward a target; or set contrast A に対して B.
Contrast: physical direction → へ/に; topic “about” → について.
Mini example
He is too strict toward children.
Concerning (formal)
broader scope than について
Open details
Form: N + に関して｜に関する + N
Use when: official announcements, news, academic scope.
Contrast: everyday chat → について.
Mini example
We will announce regarding the rule revision.
About (neutral)
everyday topic
Open details
Form: N + について｜についての + N
Use when: neutral “about/on”.
Mini example
I’m researching about housing in Japan.
At/in (formal)
reports & signage
Open details
Form: N + において ｜ における + N
Use when: formal place/time context.
Contrast: casual → で.
Mini example
We will hold a briefing in Nagoya.
By / depending on
means / agent / variation
Open details
Form: N + によって ｜ による + N
Use when: show method/agent; express “varies by …”.
Passive: X によって + V-passive = “by X”.
Mini example
Prices differ depending on the store.
In some cases
highlight one possibility
Open details
Form: N + によっては + outcome（〜こともある etc.）
Use when: show that B can happen for some A’s.
Mini example
Depending on the weather, it might be cancelled.
Against / contrary to
rules/expectations
Open details
Form: N + に反して ｜ N + に反する + N
Use when: the result goes against rules/expectations.
Mini example
Contrary to expectations, it rained.
Mainly / centered on
focus theme/group
Open details
Form: N + を中心に（して）｜を中心とした + N
Use when: show main target or theme.
Mini example
It’s trending mainly among young people.
With feeling/effort
emotion put in
Open details
Form: N（emotion/effort） + を込めて + V／N
Use when: attach emotion to an action/product.
Mini example
Send a letter with gratitude.
Just as (follow model)
instructions → result
Open details
Form: V-dict／V-た + とおりに ｜ N + の + とおりに
Use when: do exactly as a model says.
Mini example
Assemble it just as the manual says.
Through / via; throughout
route or span
Open details
Form: N + を通して／を通じて + action/result
Use when: via a medium; or “throughout (time)”.
Mini example
We met through a friend.
1) 〜にとって — viewpoint “for …”
Marks whose perspective the judgement is from.
Form: N（person/group） + にとって + judgement
Avoid: time/place → では／において.
For me, family is number one.
Rental contracts are difficult for non-Japanese residents.
2) 〜に対して — toward / whereas (contrast)
Stance toward a target, or contrast “A に対して B”.
Form: N + に対して（は） + stance/action ｜ N + に対する + N
Contrast: direction → へ/に.
Be kind toward children.
A is conservative, whereas B is innovative.
3) 〜に関して — concerning (formal, wide scope)
More official/broader than について; for announcements/news.
Form: N + に関して｜に関する + N
この
We’re gathering opinions concerning this matter.
4) 〜について — about / on
Neutral “about”; common in everyday speech and writing.
Form: N + について｜についての + N
Let’s talk about Japanese culture.
5) 〜において・〜における — at/in (formal setting)
Formal place/time context; business, manuals, reports.
Form: N + において + event ｜ N + における + N
Contrast: casual → で.
We will conduct inspections at the airport.
Rules for working in Japan.
6) 〜によって — by / depending on / because of
Means/agent, variation, or cause (in formal style).
Form: N + によって｜による + N
Passive: X によって + V-passive = “by X”.
We succeeded by effort.
Rent varies by region.
7) 〜によっては — in some cases / depending on
Highlights one possible outcome among many.
Form: N + によっては + outcome（〜こともある／〜かもしれない）
Depending on the situation, we may postpone.
8) 〜に反して・〜に反する — against / contrary to
Result that goes against rules, plans, or expectations.
Form: N + に反して ｜ N + に反する + N
Acts against the rules are prohibited.
Contrary to expectations, we won.
9) 〜を中心に — mainly / centered on
Indicates main focus/theme or central group.
Form: N + を中心に（して）｜を中心とした + N
Crowds gathered mainly among young people.
A panel centered on environmental issues.
10) 〜を込めて — with … put into (feeling/effort)
Attach a feeling/effort to an action or product.
Form: N（emotion/effort） + を込めて + V／N
I cooked it with all my heart.
Pray with a wish in it.
11) 〜とおりに — just as / in the same way
Follow a model; result matches that model.
Form: V-dict／V-た + とおりに ｜ N + の + とおりに
Do it exactly as the teacher said.
Go along as the map shows.
12) 〜を通して・〜を通じて — through / via; throughout
Means/route (“via”) or span (“throughout”). 〜を通じて is a bit more formal.
Form: N + を通して／を通じて + action/result
Get information via SNS.
There are many tourists throughout the year.
Quick contrasts & pitfalls
- に関して (formal/broad) vs について (neutral/everyday). Announcements → に関して.
- において (formal “at/in”) vs で (casual place). Reports/manuals prefer において.
- によって (means/agent/variation) vs で (simple tool/place). Passive “by” needs 〜によって.
- にとって = viewpoint (person/group). For place/time use では／において.
- に対して = stance/contrast. Physical destination → へ/に.
- を中心に = “mainly/centered on” (focus). Geometric center uses the noun 中心 itself.
- を込めて pairs with feelings/effort words (感謝・愛・願い・心 etc.).
- とおりに = exactly as instructed; looser similarity → ように／みたいに.
- を通して／通じて = via/throughout; for “pass through a place physically” → を通って.
