Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 4: 15/21

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

Structure

Toward・In regard to
Noun + に対(たい)して(1)
Noun + に対(たい)する + Noun

In contrast to
Verb + の + に対(たい)して
［な］Adjective + な(2) + の + に対(たい)して
Noun + （な(2) + の） + に対(たい)して

(1) に対(たい)しても、に対(たい)しては
(2) である

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About に対して

に対(たい)する and に対(たい)して are two grammar patterns in Japanese that are regularly used to show when (B) is 'opposed to' or 'in contrast with' (A). 対(たい)する itself is a verb meaning 'to oppose'. Although this feeling of 'opposition' may be negative, in most circumstances, it just means 'toward' in the sense of targeting something.

に対(たい)する will be followed directly by a second noun, while に対(たい)して creates a pause in the sentence, before (B) will be explained in the second half of that sentence.

Fun Fact

Compared to に関(かん)して (another structure used to show how things 'relate' to each other), に対(たい)して focuses on (A) and (B) equally, explaining how those things interact, compare, or contrast each other.

Caution

As に対(たい)して strongly contrasts (A) and (B), this grammar structure will often be used to express differences between two things. This is very similar to 'whereas' in English.

Related

Examples

--:--

    彼(かれ)はみんなに対(たい)して優(やさ)しい人(ひと)なんです。

    He is kind towards everyone.

    日本(にほん)の教育(きょういく)制度(せいど)に対(たい)してどう思(おも)う？

    What are your thoughts in regards to the Japanese school system?

    誰(だれ)に対(たい)しても親切(しんせつ)な人(ひと)になりたい。

    I want to be nice towards anyone and everyone.

    父(ちち)が厳(きび)しすぎるのに対(たい)して、母(はは)は優(やさ)しすぎる。

    My father is too strict, in contrast, my mother is too nice.

    はぐらかさないで質問(しつもん)に対(たい)して答(こた)えてください。

    Regarding the question, please answer it, without dodging.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

に対して – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (14 in total)

  • Elisenguyenquoc

    Elisenguyenquoc

    Hi!
    I also agree with that some years after. Since it is still not split.
    Also it would be great to write a little note about the difference between に比べて and のに対して, since it’s 2 different grammar points for comparaison.

  • jungliemonkey

    jungliemonkey

    I think I haven’t quite understood this grammar point (and related ones as a consequence…). Can someone explain why the answer here is に対して and not に対する? Thank you in advance! 🙇‍♂️

  • annacteo

    annacteo

    From what I could understand from this grammar point when we use に対する, it means ‘toward’ something or someone.

    And に対して means regarding something or someone, therefore, it only wants to know about a something section of a subject.

    That is why is に対して and not に対する. On the exercise phrase talks only about the questions that ‘mention that part’. So regarding these specific questions that had more about this subject. I wonder if it was too difficult.

    Hope it helps.

Got questions about に対して? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion