Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 6/18

に当(あ)たってWhen, When doing something, On the occasion, At the time

Structure

Verb［る］+ にあたり(1)
Noun + にあたり(1)

(1) にあたって

Details

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    Formal

About にあたり・にあたって

に当(あ)たり or に当(あ)たって is a formal grammar pattern in Japanese used to convey the meaning of 'at the time of (A)', 'when doing (A)', or 'on the occasion of (A)'. Like に際(さい)して 'on the occasion of (A)', it will often be used in regard to preparation for future events. This structure is a combination of に, and the う-Verb 当(あ)たる 'to hit', or 'to come into contact' in either its formal-conjunctive form or て-form.

に当(あ)たり will appear following verbs in their dictionary form, or nouns. There are two primary nuances that this structure will be used for, so let's look at a few examples of each.

The first is when (A) is some sort of special occasion or condition from which (B) will be done.

The second is when (A) is some sort of goal or target for which (B) will be the means or measures in response to that goal.

Caution

Unlike に際(さい)して, which can be used for either positive or negative situations, に当(あ)たり will primarily only be used for positive or neutral situations.

Synonyms

Related

Examples

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    レーザーの試験(しけん)に当(あ)たり、必(かなら)ず保護(ほご)メガネを着用(ちゃくよう)してください。

    Be sure to wear safety glasses when testing the laser. (on the occasion of)

    綱渡(つなわた)りをするに当(あ)たり、命綱(いのちづな)をつけてもらった。

    When I did a tightrope walk, I had a safety wire connected. (at the time of)

    彫刻(ちょうこく)を彫(ほ)るに当(あ)たり、彫刻(ちょうこく)刀(とう)を買(か)い換(か)えた。

    On the occasion of carving a sculpture, I bought a new chisel.

    課長(かちょう)の退職(たいしょく)に当(あ)たって、お別(わか)れの一言(ひとこと)を述(の)べさせていただきます。

    Let me say a few words of farewell on the occasion of the section manager's retirement.

    パスポートの申請(しんせい)に当(あ)たり、顔(かお)写真(じゃしん)を必(かなら)ず持(も)ってきてください。

    Be sure to bring headshots at the time of passport application.

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にあたり・にあたって – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • Clornhole

    Clornhole

    Can someone explain to me how に can be used here?

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    In most cases it’ll be nouns or verb forms that grammatically act like nouns, and these cases where it’s something else primarily occur in specific patterns. The other particles you’re thinking of probably also have their own patterns where any absolute rules you learned don’t apply. (In general, be careful when anything uses the words “only”, “always”, or “never”… absolutes are rare in language.)

  • Clornhole

    Clornhole

    I assumed that the answer was this, but thanks for helping confirm. I asked because, from what I had seen generally in the earlier stages of learning Japanese, particles seemed especially rigid in usage. I’ll have to learn to be more flexible with them.

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