に関して

§ Don't confuse it with について (ni tsuite)

Many learners get に関して (ni kanshite) and について (ni tsuite) mixed up. They both mean "regarding" or "concerning," but they have subtle differences. について is more general and can be used in most situations when you want to talk about something. に関して is more formal and often implies a deeper, more specialized, or more official connection to the topic. Think of に関して as being used for things like official reports, academic discussions, or legal matters. If you're just chatting with a friend about your weekend plans, stick with について.

§ Using it in casual speech

As mentioned, に関して is more formal. Using it in very casual conversations can sound unnatural or overly stiff. Imagine saying "Regarding my weekend plans, I will be attending a barbecue" to your friend in English. It's grammatically correct, but it sounds a bit strange. The same applies to に関して in Japanese. While it's not a grammatical error, it can make your speech sound less natural to native speakers.

§ Incorrectly attaching it to verbs

に関して usually attaches to nouns. It describes what the noun is about. You wouldn't directly attach it to a verb in its dictionary form. If you want to talk about an action, you'll often need to nominalize the verb first (turn it into a noun phrase) or use a different grammatical structure entirely.

Incorrect:

書くに関して (Regarding to write)

Correct:

書くことに関して (Regarding writing / the act of writing)

Here, 書くこと (kaku koto) is the nominalized form of 書く (kaku - to write), making it a noun phrase that に関して can correctly modify.

§ Forgetting the particle "に"

に関して is a set phrase. You need the particle に (ni) before 関して (kanshite). Sometimes learners might drop the に, thinking 関して alone means "regarding," but this is incorrect. Always remember the full form: にに関して.

Incorrect:

その問題関して (Regarding that problem)

Correct:

その問題に関して (Regarding that problem)

§ Overusing it

While it's good to learn various ways to express similar ideas, avoid overusing に関して just because you know it. Native Japanese speakers often use simpler structures or other particles when appropriate. For example, のこと (no koto) or even just a simple topic marker は (wa) can sometimes convey a similar meaning in a more natural way, especially in less formal contexts.

When you're trying to communicate effectively, variety in your vocabulary and grammatical structures is key. Don't fall into the trap of using the same phrase repeatedly, even if it's technically correct. Pay attention to how native speakers express similar ideas in different situations, and try to emulate that natural flow.

§ Not understanding its nuance of specificity

に関して carries a nuance of focusing on a particular aspect or specific details related to a topic. It often introduces a point that will be discussed in some depth. If you're making a general statement or just touching upon a subject, に関して might be too strong or specific. Consider the context carefully to see if the level of formality and specificity matches what you want to convey.

This example clearly shows a situation where the specificity and formality of に関して are appropriate because it's about a detailed analysis of research results.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use に関して more accurately and naturally in your Japanese communication. Practice discerning the subtle differences between similar expressions and always consider the formality and specificity of the context.

Today, we're going to break down the Japanese phrase 「に関して」 (ni kanshite). This is a really useful phrase that means "regarding," "concerning," or "in relation to." It's often used when you're talking about a specific topic or subject.

§ What に関して (ni kanshite) means

Definition

Regarding; concerning; in relation to.

Think of it as a more formal way to say 「について」 (ni tsuite). While both mean "about" or "regarding," 「に関して」 carries a slightly more formal and sometimes academic or official tone. You'll often hear it in news reports, business meetings, or formal presentations.

§ How to use it in sentences

「に関して」 usually follows a noun. It introduces the topic you are going to talk about. Here are a few examples:

Kono mondai ni kanshite, goiken wa arimasu ka?
(Do you have any opinions regarding this problem?)

Atarashii purojekuto ni kanshite, ikutsuka shitsumon ga arimasu.
(I have a few questions concerning the new project.)

Kankyou mondai ni kanshite, watashitachi wa motto shinken ni kangaeru beki desu.
(Regarding environmental issues, we should think more seriously.)

§ When to use it: 「に関して」 vs. 「について」

Both 「に関して」 and 「について」 can often be translated as "about" or "regarding." However, there's a subtle but important difference in nuance and formality.

• について (ni tsuite): This is the more common and general way to say "about" or "regarding." It's perfectly fine for everyday conversations and less formal settings. It's versatile and can be used in almost any context where you're introducing a topic.

  日本の文化について話しましょう。

  Nihon no bunka ni tsuite hanashimashou.
  (Let's talk about Japanese culture.)

• に関して (ni kanshite): This phrase carries a stronger sense of formality, officialdom, or a more serious and specific focus on a topic. You'll find it in:

  • Formal presentations and speeches: When you're presenting factual information or making an official statement.
  • Academic writing and reports: For discussing research, findings, or analyses.
  • Business and legal contexts: When discussing policies, contracts, or specific issues.
  • News reports: To introduce topics being covered in a formal and objective manner.

  この法律改正案に関して、国民からの意見を募集します。

  Kono houritsu kaiseian ni kanshite, kokumin kara no iken o boshuu shimasu.
  (We are soliciting public opinions regarding this proposed legal amendment.)

§ Other similar expressions

While 「に関して」 and 「について」 are the most common, here are a couple of other expressions with similar meanings, though often with different nuances or usage contexts:

• に対し (ni taishi) / に対する (ni taisuru): These often mean "to," "towards," or "in contrast to." While they can sometimes overlap with "regarding" in specific contexts (e.g., "attitude towards"), their primary meaning is different. They imply a direction or a relationship of opposition/response.

  顧客の要望に対し、迅速に対応します。

  Kokyaku no youbou ni taishi, jinsoku ni taiou shimasu.
  (We will respond quickly to customer requests.)

• をめぐって (o megutte): This phrase means "over" or "concerning," often implying a dispute, debate, or competition surrounding a particular topic. It suggests that the topic is a point of contention or discussion among multiple parties.

  土地の所有権をめぐって、裁判が行われています。

  Tochi no shoyūken o megutte, saiban ga okonawarete imasu.
  (A lawsuit is taking place over land ownership.)

To sum up, while 「について」 is your everyday "about," 「に関して」 is your go-to when you need to sound more formal or when discussing serious topics in depth. Keep practicing, and you'll get a feel for when each one is best!