に対(たい)してIn contrast to, While, In regard to, Whereas

Both に対して and について express a relationship between (A) and (B), but differ in nuance and usage. について means 'about (A)' and marks the topic of a statement, e.g. 日本について学ぶ ('Learn about Japan'), while に対して means 'toward (A)' and expresses direction or stance, e.g. 親に対する気持ち ('Feelings toward parents') or 優しい人に対して ('Toward kind people').

Both patterns connect to nouns to show a relationship, but differ in nuance. に対して (which also appears before nouns as に対する) implies a directional or oppositional relationship, like 'toward (A)', e.g. 彼に対する気持ち ('feelings toward him'). In contrast, において・における is a more formal/literary equivalent of で, indicating a context, place, or setting, e.g. 現代社会における宗教 ('religion in modern society').

Both express contrast, but their nuance differs. に対して typically compares two things with opposing qualities, e.g. 田中先生が厳しいのに対して、鈴木先生は優しい ('Whereas Prof. Tanaka is strict, Prof. Suzuki is lenient'). 反面 focuses on two sides of the same situation, e.g. 都会の生活は便利な反面、お金がかかる ('Life in the big city is convenient, but expensive'). に対して also has a 'toward (A)' usage, which 反面 does not.

Both にひきかえ and に対して set things side by side, but they differ in purpose and tone. にひきかえ is used specifically to make a contrast between two situations or people, often highlighting a difference in evaluation or outcome, as in 父が厳しすぎるのに対して、母は優しすぎる (‘My father is too strict, whereas my mother is too kind.’). に対して can be used similarly, but is also a broad and neutral expression meaning “toward,” “regarding,” or “in response to,” and is used for attitudes, actions, or opinions directed at a target without implying comparison or evaluation, as in 彼はみんなに対して優しい人だ (‘He is kind toward everyone.’).

Both patterns show a relationship, but differ in nuance and usage. に関する・に関して attaches to a noun to mean 'about (A)' or 'concerning (A)', e.g. 歴史に関する本 ('a book about history'). In contrast, に対して (or に対する before nouns) implies a directional or oppositional relationship like 'toward (A)', e.g. 彼に対する気持ち ('feelings toward him').

While both can be used for comparison, their nuance differs. に対して typically contrasts two things in terms of opposing qualities, e.g. 田中先生が厳しいのに対して、鈴木先生は優しい ('Whereas Prof. Tanaka is strict, Prof. Suzuki is lenient'). In contrast, にかけては highlights strength or excellence in a specific area, e.g. 料理にかけては彼が一番だ ('When it comes to cooking, he's the best').