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 + 対して(1)
Noun + に対する + Noun

In contrast to
Verb + + 対して
[な]Adjective + (2) + + 対して
Noun + ((2) + ) + 対して

(1) に対しても、に対しては
(2) である
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
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.
  • 君(きみ)に対(たい)する気持(きも)ちは一生(いっしょう)変(か)わらない
    My feelings toward you will never change.
  • 私(わたし)は店員(てんいん)に対(たい)する態度(たいど)悪(わる)い人(ひと)苦手(にがて)です
    I don't like people who have a bad attitude towards store employees. (People who target their bad attitude at store employees)
  • ああいう風(ふう)に、先輩(せんぱい)に対(たい)してタメ口(ぐち)使(つか)うは良(よ)くないと思(おも)うよ。
    I don't think it is best to talk to a senpai using casual speech in that manner. (Talking casually toward a senior)
  • 何(なん)でいつも私(わたし)に対(たい)してそういう酷(ひど)いこと言(い)う
    Why do you always say mean things like that to me? (With me as the target)
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.
  • このプロジェクトに関(かん)して質問(しつもん)がある方(かた)は私(わたし)に直接(ちょくせつ)電話(でんわ)てください
    If you have any questions concerning this project, please give me a call directly. (Questions in relation to this project)
  • 私(わたし)はサッカーが好(す)きなのに対(たい)して、彼(かれ)はバドミントンが好(す)き
    In contrast to me liking soccer, he likes badminton. (Opposed to me who likes soccer)
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.
  • マサミは難(むずか)しい本(ほん)読(よ)んだのに対(たい)して、カスミは簡単(かんたん)な本(ほん)読(よ)んだ。
    Masami read a difficult book, whereas Kasumi read an easy book.
  • 彼(かれ)仕事(しごと)は楽(らく)なのに対(たい)して、僕(ぼく)仕事(しごと)はものすごく大変(たいへん)。
    His job is carefree, whereas my job is very difficult.
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この部分(ぶぶん)に対(たい)して質問(しつもん)が多(おお)かった。ちょっと難(むずか)しかったのかしら...。
There were many questions regarding this part. I wonder if it was too difficult...
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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?
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イギリス人(じん)ビール好(す)きなのに対(たい)して、フランス人(じん)赤(あか)ワイン好(す)きだ。
English people like drinking beer in contrast to French people who like red wine.
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