に対して

Toward/regarding

Level 3Sounds Like nitaishite

に対して（にたいして） is a versatile pattern used to point toward a recipient of an attitude, to contrast two opposing situations, or to express a ratio (per/for every).

How It Works

に対して（にたいして） functions in three distinct ways depending on the context:1. Target of Attitude, Action, or Opposition
When used with a noun, it marks the person, thing, or idea toward which an emotion, behavior, action, or opposition is directed. It is more formal and specific than the simple particle に. It is often used with words like 'kindness,' 'rudeness,' 'responsibility,' or 'protest.'
Note: Unlike へ or に向かって, it cannot be used for physical movement toward a destination; it is used for psychological or relational direction.

  • Noun + に対して
  • Noun + に対する + Noun (when modifying a noun)

2. Contrast (Whereas/In Contrast To)
It is used to compare two different facts or situations. In this usage, it often follows a clause nominalized by の. In formal contexts, nouns may use the variant であるのに対して.

  • Verb/Adjective + のに対して
  • Noun + なのに対して / Noun + であるのに対して

3. Ratio and Proportion (Per/For Every)
It expresses a numerical ratio between two groups or items.

  • Number/Quantity + に対して + Number/Quantity

Register Note: This is a standard to formal expression. In very formal writing, you may see the 'te' dropped, becoming に対し（にたいし）.

Examples (5)

  1. お客様に対して、失礼な態度を取ってはいけません。

    You must not be rude toward customers.

    Word by Word: Customers toward, rude attitude take (must) not.

    Here, it marks 'customers' as the target of the 'rude attitude.'

  2. 兄が社交的なのに対して、弟は内気で無口だ。

    In contrast to the older brother being sociable, the younger brother is shy and quiet.

    Word by Word: Older brother sociable whereas, younger brother shy and quiet is.

    This uses the 'contrast' function to compare the personalities of two brothers.

  3. 政府の新しい政策に対する反対意見が多い。

    There are many opposing opinions toward the government's new policy.

    Word by Word: Government's new policy toward opposing opinions are many.

    When modifying the noun 'opinions'（意見）, the form changes to に対する.

  4. 先生に対して質問をする。

    I ask a question to the teacher.

    Word by Word: Teacher toward question do.

    It indicates the teacher is the direct recipient of the questioning action.

  5. 学生十人に対して、先生が一人つきます。

    There is one teacher for every ten students.

    Word by Word: Students ten-people per, teacher one-person attaches.

    This demonstrates the 'ratio' usage, showing the proportion of teachers to students.

Common Mistakes

  • Using に対して for intellectual topics instead of について.

    日本の文化に対して勉強しています。
    日本の文化について勉強しています。

    に対して is for attitudes or actions directed at a target. For intellectual topics of study or talk, use について.

  • Using に対して to modify a noun directly.

    子供に対して教育は大切だ。
    子供に対する教育は大切だ。

    When the pattern is used to describe a following noun (like 'education'), you must use the attributive form に対する.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

に対してLevel 3Toward/regarding

Learn This First

To understand 'に対して' (toward/regarding), a learner needs to be familiar with the target particle 'に' and the 'te-form' of verbs, as this pattern is grammatically the te-form of the verb '対する' (taisuru). Knowledge of how nouns are modified in sentences is also required to correctly place the pattern after the target noun.

Words in This Pattern

対する