Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 5: 13/21

にとって
to・for, concerning

Structure
Noun + 取って
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
取って
Information
にとって (or に取(と)って when appearing as kanji) is a structure in Japanese that is used to convey opinions, or just generally to discuss something from a particular perspective. This expression regularly appears after names/pronouns, but may also be used with regular nouns. にとって is often translated as ‘to (A)’, ‘for (A)’, or ‘concerning (A)’. However, it is used in almost exactly the same way as から見(み)て ‘from the perspective of (A)’.
To use にとって, simply attach it to the end of a noun (or noun phrase) that you would like to express a certain viewpoint, judgment, or opinion from.
  • タケミにとって一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ)な人(ひと)は誰(だれ)ですか?
    Takemi, who is the most important person to you?
  • 彼(かれ)は私(わたし)にとって親(おや)みたいな存在(そんざい)です
    He is like a parent to me.
  • この石(いし)はタケル君(くん)にとって、宝物(たからもの)です
    To Takeru, this rock is a treasure.
Fun Fact
にとって comes from the verb 取(と)る ‘to take’. In this way, it literally means ‘to take up (A)’, where (A) is the location (standpoint) being highlighted with the 格助詞(かくじょし) (case marking particle) に. Broadly, にとって has two main uses, these are as follows:
の身(み)として - From (A)’s standpoint. (When used about people)
の立場(たちば)から見(み)て - When looking at it from (A). (When used about things)
  • 私(わたし)にとって一番(いちばん)大事(だいじ)な友達(ともだち)はあなたです
    You are the most important friend to me.
  • 私(わたし)にとってあの会社(かいしゃ)は人(ひと)働(うご)かせすぎだと思(おも)います
    To me, I think that company makes people work too much.
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君(きみ)にとって友達(ともだち)作(つく)ることは簡単(かんたん)だ。
It is easy for you to make friends.
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私(わたし)にとって、君(きみ)は化粧(けしょう)をする必要(ひつよう)がないと思(おも)う
For me, it isn't necessary for you to put on makeup.
お父(とう)さんにとって仕事(しごと)大切(たいせつ)だ。
Your father's job is important to him.
'My dad's take on work is that it is important'.
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Books
Tobira
Page 44
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 134