〜に関して

The Japanese phrase 〜に関して (ni kanshite) is a formal compound particle that translates most accurately to 'concerning,' 'regarding,' or 'with respect to' in English. While many beginners first learn the particle 〜について (ni tsuite) to mean 'about,' 〜に関して serves as its more professional, academic, and sophisticated cousin. It is used to indicate the subject matter or the topic that is being discussed, researched, or investigated. When you use this expression, you are signaling that the information following it is directly related to the noun that preceded it. It creates a sense of objective distance and professional clarity, making it a staple in business emails, news reports, academic papers, and formal speeches. In the hierarchy of Japanese formality, 〜に関して sits comfortably in the middle-to-high range, typically appearing in CEFR B1 level materials and above as students transition from daily conversation to professional Japanese.

Core Meaning

To establish a formal relationship between a topic and the information provided about it.

Nuance

More formal than 'ni tsuite'; implies a broader, more comprehensive scope of relation.

Typical Contexts

Business reports, legal documents, news broadcasts, and academic research.

Historically, this phrase is derived from the verb 関する (kansuru), which means 'to concern' or 'to be related to.' The 'te-form' of this verb, 関して (kanshite), functions as a conjunctive that links a noun to the rest of the sentence. Because it retains its verbal roots, it carries a weightier, more active feeling than simple particles like 'no' or 'ni.' When a speaker chooses 〜に関して, they are often preparing to deliver a detailed explanation or a formal statement. It is rarely used in casual settings among friends, where it would sound overly stiff or even sarcastic. For example, you wouldn't say 'Regarding dinner tonight...' to your roommate unless you were joking. However, in a meeting, saying 'Regarding the budget for next year...' is the standard and expected way to introduce the topic.

Furthermore, 〜に関して has a specific grammatical variation when it modifies a noun directly. Instead of using に関して, you must use に関する (ni kansuru). For instance, 'a book about Japan' would be 日本に関する本 (Nihon ni kansuru hon). This distinction is crucial for achieving natural-sounding Japanese. The phrase also appears in the even more formal form 〜に関しまして (ni kanshimashite), which is common in extremely polite business correspondence or customer service. Understanding the breadth of this word allows learners to navigate professional environments with confidence, ensuring they don't sound too casual when the situation demands gravity and precision. It is one of the first 'formal' grammar points that bridges the gap between conversational fluency and professional competence.

Grammatical Connection

Noun + に関して

Noun Modification

Noun A + に関する + Noun B

Using 〜に関して (ni kanshite) correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic placement and its relationship with the surrounding words. The most basic structure is [Noun] + に関して + [Verb/Clause]. In this construction, the noun represents the topic or domain, and the following clause provides information or an action related to that topic. For example, 環境問題に関して話し合う (Kankyou mondai ni kanshite hanashiau) means 'to discuss concerning environmental issues.' Note that に関して acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb 'discuss.' It is often used with verbs of communication (talk, write, ask), cognition (think, investigate, know), or formal action (decide, report).

A common variation is adding the topic marker は (wa) to create 〜に関しては (ni kanshite wa). This is used to emphasize the topic or to contrast it with other topics. If a speaker says, 'Regarding the schedule, it's fine, but regarding the budget...', they would use に関しては for both to clearly delineate the two subjects. This is particularly useful in business negotiations where multiple points are being addressed sequentially. Another variation is 〜に関しても (ni kanshite mo), which means 'also regarding' or 'even regarding,' used when adding a related point to a previous discussion.

Standard Form

Noun + に関して (Regarding...)

Emphatic Form

Noun + に関しては (As for regarding...)

Inclusive Form

Noun + に関しても (Also regarding...)

One of the most important grammatical rules to remember is how to use this phrase to modify another noun. You cannot say *日本に関して本. Instead, you must change the verb form to its dictionary form: 日本に関する本 (Nihon ni kansuru hon). This 〜に関する structure acts like an adjective phrase. If you want to use the te-form but still modify a noun, you must add の (no), resulting in 〜に関しての (ni kanshite no). For example, 教育に関しての調査 (Kyouiku ni kanshite no chousa) means 'an investigation regarding education.' While に関する and に関しての are often interchangeable, に関する is generally preferred for direct noun modification in formal writing.

In very formal speech, such as Keigo (honorific Japanese), に関して becomes に関しまして (ni kanshimashite). This is the 'masu-form' equivalent and is used extensively by staff in hotels, department stores, and during formal presentations. For example, a receptionist might say, 予約に関しまして、確認させていただきます (Yoyaku ni kanshimashite, kakunin sasete itadakimasu), which means 'Regarding your reservation, please allow me to confirm.' Using the correct level of formality with this particle demonstrates a high level of cultural and linguistic awareness. It shows that you understand not just the meaning of the words, but the social context in which they are spoken.

Keigo (Polite)

Noun + に関しまして

Direct Modification

Noun + に関する + Noun

If you are living in Japan or consuming Japanese media, you will encounter 〜に関して (ni kanshite) in specific, high-stakes environments. The most common place is the workplace. In a Japanese office, clarity and politeness are paramount. During a morning meeting (chourei), a manager might introduce a new policy by saying, 'Regarding the new security rules...' using に関して. It sets a serious tone and ensures everyone knows exactly what the subject of the discussion is. If you are writing a business email to a client, starting your sentence with [Topic] に関して is a standard way to reference previous conversations or specific documents. It sounds much more professional than the casual [Topic] について, which might be seen as slightly too informal for external communication.

Another major venue for this phrase is the news and media. NHK news anchors and newspaper journalists use に関して and に関する constantly. Whether they are reporting on international relations, economic shifts, or local government decisions, this phrase provides the necessary objective framing. For example, a headline might read, 'New laws regarding tax increases' (増税に関する新しい法律). In these contexts, the phrase helps maintain a neutral, reportorial distance. It suggests that the information is factual and has been researched. If you listen to a press conference held by a politician or a CEO, you will hear に関しまして frequently as they attempt to address specific questions from the press with a high degree of formality and respect.

Academic settings are also saturated with this expression. From university lectures to scientific journals, に関して is the go-to phrase for defining the scope of a study. A student might write, 'This thesis investigates the effects of climate change regarding agricultural output.' In Japanese, this would naturally use に関して. It allows for a precise definition of the research topic. Even in university entrance exams (JLPT N3 and N2 levels), you will often find reading comprehension passages that use this grammar to link complex ideas. Understanding it is not just about speaking; it's a key component of advanced literacy in Japanese.

Finally, you will hear it in public announcements. At train stations or airports, announcements regarding delays, platform changes, or safety procedures often use に関しまして. For instance, 'Regarding the delay of the Shinkansen...' (新幹線の遅れに関しまして...). This usage ensures that the information is conveyed with the appropriate level of public service politeness. Even if you don't use it yourself in daily life, being able to recognize it in these environments is essential for navigating Japanese society smoothly. It is the language of the public sphere, the professional world, and the intellectual community.

Workplace

Emails, meetings, reports, and negotiations.

Media

News headlines, weather reports, and documentaries.

Public Spaces

Train station announcements and airport notices.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with 〜に関して (ni kanshite) is using it in overly casual situations. Because it is a formal expression, using it with close friends or family members can sound strange, stiff, or even mock-serious. For example, if you ask a friend, 'Regarding the movie we're seeing tonight, what time is it?' using に関して, it sounds like you're treating a fun outing like a corporate merger. In casual conversation, you should almost always stick to について (ni tsuite) or the even more casual のこと (no koto). The mistake here isn't grammatical, but social; it's a 'register' error that can make you seem socially awkward or distant.

Another common grammatical mistake is failing to use the correct form when modifying a noun. As mentioned before, に関して is adverbial. If you want to use it as an adjective to describe a noun, you must use に関する (ni kansuru). Many students mistakenly say *歴史に関して本 (Rekishi ni kanshite hon), which is incorrect. You must say 歴史に関する本 (Rekishi ni kansuru hon). Alternatively, you can use に関しての (ni kanshite no), but に関する is much more common and natural for direct modification. Forgetting this 'verb-to-adjective' transformation is a hallmark of intermediate learners who haven't yet mastered the nuances of Japanese sentence structure.

A third mistake involves confusing に関して with に対して (ni taishite). While they look similar, their meanings are quite different. に関して means 'concerning' or 'about,' while に対して means 'towards,' 'against,' or 'in contrast to.' For example, if you want to say 'Regarding the teacher,' you use 先生に関して. But if you want to say 'The student was rude to the teacher,' you use 先生に対して. Using the wrong one can completely change the meaning of your sentence. Similarly, をめぐって (o megutte) is another related phrase that means 'concerning' but specifically implies a conflict or competition over something (like 'concerning the inheritance'). Using に関して when there is a heated debate might sound too neutral, while using をめぐって for a simple topic introduction would be inappropriate.

Register Error

Using 'ni kanshite' with friends (too formal).

Structural Error

Using 'ni kanshite' to modify a noun without 'no' or changing to 'ni kansuru'.

Semantic Error

Confusing 'ni kanshite' (about) with 'ni taishite' (towards/against).

Lastly, some learners try to attach に関して to verbs directly. This is not allowed. に関して must follow a noun. If you want to say 'Regarding going to Japan,' you cannot say *日本に行くに関して. You must first turn the verb into a noun (nominalize it) using こと (koto) or の (no). The correct way would be 日本に行くことに関して (Nihon ni iku koto ni kanshite). This extra step of nominalization is often forgotten by English speakers because the English word 'regarding' can sometimes be followed by a gerund (an -ing verb), making the transition feel more direct in English than it actually is in Japanese.

In Japanese, there are several ways to express the idea of 'about' or 'concerning,' and choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. The most common alternative to 〜に関して (ni kanshite) is 〜について (ni tsuite). While both mean 'about,' について is much more versatile and is used in both casual and polite daily conversation. に関して is strictly more formal and implies a broader, more comprehensive scope. If you are talking about a specific person's hobbies, について is perfect. If you are discussing a large-scale sociological trend, に関して is more appropriate. Think of について as 'about' and に関して as 'concerning.'

〜について (ni tsuite)

The standard, everyday way to say 'about'. Used for both general and specific topics. Less formal than 'ni kanshite'.

〜をめぐって (o megutte)

Used when multiple people are involved in a dispute, debate, or competition 'over' or 'concerning' something. Often used in news reports about conflicts.

〜につき (ni tsuki)

Very formal, often found in written notices or signs. It can mean 'due to' (reason) or 'per' (quantity), but in some contexts, it functions as a very stiff 'regarding'.

Another similar expression is 〜をめぐって (o megutte). While it also translates to 'concerning,' it has a very specific nuance of 'surrounding' a central issue that is being contested. For example, 'The debate concerning the new law' would use をめぐって because it implies that there are different sides circling the issue. In contrast, に関して is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply any conflict. It just states the topic. If you use をめぐって for a simple research topic where no one is arguing, it would sound strange. Use に関して for general professional topics and をめぐって for controversial ones.

For even more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 〜に際して (ni saishite) or 〜にあたって (ni atatte). While these are often translated as 'on the occasion of' or 'regarding,' they focus more on the timing of an event rather than the subject matter itself. に関して is purely about the 'what,' while these other phrases are about the 'when' and 'what.' Finally, there is 〜のこと (no koto), which is the most casual way to say 'about.' If you say 田中さんのことだけど (Tanaka-san no koto dakedo), it means 'About Tanaka-san...' in a very friendly, conversational way. Choosing between these options is a key part of mastering Japanese pragmatics.

〜にわたって (ni watatte)

Means 'over a period of' or 'across a range'. Sometimes confused with 'ni kanshite' by beginners, but it refers to time or space, not topic.

〜に対して (ni taishite)

Means 'towards' or 'against'. Focuses on the direction of an action or a contrast between two things.