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

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.

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.

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に対して – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (14 in total)

mrnoone

English translation:
in contrast to
while
in regard to

Structure:
Noun + に対して / に対する
Verb/Adjective・の + に対して / に対する

Explanation:
[toward a certain point・in contrast to another point]

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seanblue
It looks like this grammar point now covers both “towards” / “in regard to” and “in contrast to”, which have different conjugation rules. I think it would be best to split these into two separate grammar points.
mrnoone
Hey
This is a good idea, I am a supporter or splitting grammar points that express few concepts, since the retention is better (and there are more examples ).
Johnathan-Weir
I’ll third the vote to split these points. Even if they’re just one after the other.
Johnathan-Weir
This video by Yumi Sensei says that the difference described in the grammar point isn’t about meaning but about where you attach it to a separate sentence or not:

So maybe this point should be redesigned altogether.
narfi
It would be good to detect when ぎゃくに would also be a correct answer.
ggw1776
Agreed that this should be split
Melanthe
Fifthed!
username2
…and so I came here to share my ideas, but I see this thread is already just full of people demanding for this grammar point to be split for already 2 years.

Well, let me just say yes, it should be split the same way as 〜ている has it’s own 3 separate grammar points, despite conjugation rules are the same everywhere. Not only because “regarding/towards” and “in contrast to” are actually totally different meanings. Mostly I’d like to see it split because we drastically lack of examples for “in contrast” meaning: just 2 sentences vs. 10 examples of “regarding”. Still, “in contrast” meaning is quite valuable and frequent, so would be great to emphasize it more.
Daru
Sorry for leaving this out on the cold!

I’ve officially shared the proposition of a split with the Content Team. I agree this has a lot of overlap with the problem we used to have with 〜ている.

Thank you for pointing it out!
Melanthe
Ha, came here to say the same thing as everyone else. How are things coming along, @Daru?
dom1911
Another check in what the status quo here is
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
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
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.