にあたって
At the Time of
Used for formal milestones (weddings, openings, graduations) to say 'on the occasion of' or 'prior to.' It emphasizes the importance of the event and the speaker's intent or preparation.
How It Works
This pattern is a formal way to mark a 'turning point' or a 'special occasion.' While it can be translated as 'when' or 'on the occasion of,' it carries a much heavier and more formal weight than the standard 時（とき）.
Key Characteristics:
- Formal Register: Primarily used in speeches, business announcements, and formal writing. While hiragana is common, the kanji form に当たって is also frequently used in formal documents.
- Formal Variants: In very formal contexts or speeches, you will often see the variants にあたり or にあたりまして used instead.
- Proactive Nuance: It often implies that because this important event is happening, the speaker is taking a specific action, making a resolution, or offering formal greetings.
- Positive/Neutral Only: It is reserved for milestones like starting a job, opening a store, or getting married. For negative events like funerals or accidents, に際して（にさいして） is used instead.
- Timeframe: It covers the period just before the event (preparation) and the start of the event itself.
Grammar Note:
- Verbs: Use the dictionary form (e.g., 留学する（りゅうがくする）にあたって). Even if the event happened in the past, the verb preceding the pattern remains in the dictionary form because it views the event as the 'point of departure.'
- Nouns: Use the structure Noun + にあたって (e.g., 開会（かいかい）にあたって).
- Adnominal Form: When modifying a following noun, use にあたっての (e.g., 留学にあたっての注意事項（りゅうがくにあたってのちゅういじこう）- 'precautions for studying abroad').
Examples (4)
- 新店オープンにあたって、スタッフ全員で近所に挨拶回りをした。
On the occasion of the new store opening, all staff went around the neighborhood to give greetings.
Word by Word: New store opening / on the occasion of / staff / all / neighborhood / greetings / did.
The opening of a store is a significant milestone, making にあたって appropriate for this formal context.
- 日本へ留学するにあたって、両親からいくつかの助言をもらった。
At the time of (preparing for) my study abroad in Japan, I received some advice from my parents.
Word by Word: Japan / to / study abroad / at the time of / parents / from / some / advice / received.
Even though the advice was received before leaving, the dictionary form 留学する is used to mark the upcoming milestone.
- 開会にあたり、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。
On the occasion of the opening, I would like to say a few words.
Word by Word: Opening / on the occasion of / one word / greeting / say (humble).
This uses the variant 'にあたり', which is slightly more formal and common in very stiff speeches.
- 新しい生活を始めるにあたって、古い家具を全部捨てた。
Upon starting a new life, I threw away all my old furniture.
Word by Word: New / life / start / on the occasion of / old / furniture / all / threw away.
Starting a new life is a personal milestone where the speaker takes a proactive step (cleaning out furniture).
Common Mistakes
Using the pattern for negative or tragic events.
お葬式にあたって、黒い服を着ました。お葬式に際して、黒い服を着ました。にあたって is for positive or neutral milestones. For funerals (お葬式) or accidents, use に際して or simply の時.
Using the past tense before the pattern.
卒業したにあたって、先生にお礼を言った。卒業するにあたって、先生にお礼を言った。The verb before にあたって must always be in the dictionary form, even if the main action happened in the past.
Using it for trivial, everyday actions.
歯を磨くにあたって、歯ブラシを濡らした。歯を磨く時、歯ブラシを濡らした。Brushing your teeth is not a 'milestone' or 'special occasion.' Using にあたって here sounds unnaturally heavy and dramatic.
How It Connects
Learn This First
にあたって is a formal expression used to mark the preparation or start of a significant event. To understand it, you need to be familiar with the target particle 'に', the 'te-form' for connecting verbs, and the general concept of formal time markers used in professional or ceremonial contexts.
- にTarget/location Marker
The pattern is built upon the target particle 'に', which marks the point in time or the event being addressed.
Level 1 - 〜際にOn the Occasion of
Both patterns deal with formal occasions and timing; understanding '際に' provides the necessary conceptual foundation for formal time markers used for important events.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- 時When/at the Time
The general, casual way to say 'when.' にあたって is the formal, milestone-specific version.
Level 2 - 〜に先立ってPrior to
Focuses strictly on the chronological order (doing A before B), whereas にあたって focuses on the significance of the occasion.
Level 4 - としてAs/in the Role of
Often used in similar formal contexts to describe a role or capacity during a milestone event.
Level 3 - においてIn/at (Formal)
A formal marker for location or time, often appearing in the same formal speeches as にあたって.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice にあたって in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Japanese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
