Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 6: 12/20

にしたら
from the point of view of

Structure
Noun + にしたら(1)

(1) にすれ
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
When に is combined with the hypothetical forms of する (すれば, or したら), it forms a structure used in Japanese for conveying that the speaker is making an opinion about (A), from its point of view. This is frequently translated as ‘from the point of view of (A)’, or ‘from the standpoint of (A)’. Literally, it means something close to ‘if we go off (A)’, and just highlights that the speaker is choosing a particular aspect of (A) to discuss as a possibility.
In many cases, the (B) part of にしたら or にすれば expressions will be an opinion about what the speaker expects to be true for (A).
にしたら and にすれば are structures that will be used after nouns that identifying people or organizations from which the speaker will then make an assumption about them/it.
  • お客様(きゃくさま)にしたら、値段(ねだん)が安(やす)い方(ほう)がいいだろう。
    From the point of view of the customer, a lower price is probably better.
  • 納豆(なっとう)が嫌(きら)いな人(ひと)にしたら、納豆(なっとう)はただ臭(くさ)いだけに違(ちが)いない。
    From the point of view of a person that does not like natto, natto must just stink (natto is something that stinks and nothing more).
  • 子供(こども)が何歳(なんさい)になろうとも、親(おや)にすればいつまでも子供(こども)に見(み)える。
    From the parent’s point of view, their children look like kids no matter how old they are.
  • 日本人(にほんじん)にすれば普通(ふつう)なことでも、海外(かいがい)の方(かた)が見(み)たら驚(おどろ)く事(こと)がたくさんあるらしい。
    It seems that there are many things that are ordinary from the point of view of Japanese people that are surprising to people from other countries.
Although almost identical in meaning, にすれば will be the preferred choice in formal sentences.
Caution - にしたら and にすれば are hypothetical grammar structures that make some sort of assumption about (A), they will not be used in regard to oneself, and one’s own opinions. This can be thought of as a function of にする itself, in that you can’t ‘go off’ yourself hypothetically, as you already are yourself, and already know your own thoughts.
  • 私(わたし)にしたら、それは高(たか)すぎます。
    Going off of me, that is too expensive. (Unnatural Japanese)
  • 彼(かれ)にしたら、それは高(たか)すぎるそうです。
    Going off of him, apparently that is too expensive. (Natural Japanese)
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妻(つま)にしたら私(わたし)もっと家事(かじ)をしなくてはいけない。
From the perspective of my wife, I have to help more with the housework.
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学生(がくせい)にしたらテスト簡単(かんたん)ならば、簡単(かんたん)なほどいい
From the student's point of view, the easier the test is, the better.
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赤(あか)ちゃん可愛(かわい)いが、親(おや)にしたら苦労(くろう)もあるだろう。
Babies are cute, but from a parent's point of view there are hardships as well.
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