にとって

For/to (Perspective)

Level 3Sounds Like nitotte

Noun + にとって indicates the person or entity whose perspective is being used to make a judgment. It translates to 'for' or 'to' in the sense of 'in the opinion of' or 'from the standpoint of'.

How It Works

1. Basic Function
にとって is used when you want to say that something has a certain value or quality from the perspective of a specific person or group. It is a staple of intermediate Japanese (Level 3) and is essential for expressing personal values.

2. Sentence Structure
The pattern follows the structure: [Noun] + にとって + [Evaluation].

  • 私にとって家族は大切です。(To me, family is important.)

3. Variations

  • にとって は: Adds emphasis or contrast. 'For me (specifically), it is...'
  • にとって も: Means 'also for.' 'It is difficult for him, and also for me.'
  • にとって の + Noun: Used when the entire phrase modifies a noun. For example: 私にとっての宝物（たからもの）- 'A treasure to me.'

4. Important Restrictions

  • Subjective Evaluation Only: The phrase following にとって must be a judgment, evaluation, or value statement (e.g., 'important', 'difficult', 'necessary'). It cannot be used for objective facts. For example, you cannot say 'For me, I am a student' (私にとって学生です ×).
  • No Potential/Ability: You cannot use にとって to mark the person who is performing a potential action. For 'I cannot do this,' use には instead.
  • No Direct Actions: It is not used for direct actions or attitudes toward someone; for that, use に対して.

Examples (5)

  1. 私にとって、家族が一番大切です。

    To me, family is the most important thing.

    Word by Word: Me for, family (subject) number one important is.

    This is the most common usage, identifying the speaker as the one making the value judgment about family.

  2. この写真は、彼にとって忘れられない思い出だ。

    This photo is an unforgettable memory for him.

    Word by Word: This photo (topic), him for unforgettable memory is.

    Here, the standpoint is 'him.' The photo's value as a memory is specific to his perspective.

  3. 日本での生活は、外国人にとって慣れるまで大変だ。

    Life in Japan is difficult for foreigners until they get used to it.

    Word by Word: Japan in life (topic), foreigners for get used to until difficult is.

    This shows that the 'standpoint' can be a group (foreigners) rather than just an individual.

  4. 水は人間にとっても、動物にとっても必要だ。

    Water is necessary for humans and for animals as well.

    Word by Word: Water (topic) humans for also, animals for also necessary is.

    Using にとっても shows that the necessity applies to both entities mentioned.

  5. それは私にとっての大きなチャンスです。

    That is a big chance for me.

    Word by Word: That (topic) me for (possessive) big chance is.

    Using にとっての allows the phrase to modify the noun 'chance' directly.

Common Mistakes

  • Using にとって with potential verbs to show ability.

    この仕事は私にとってできない。
    この仕事は私にはできない。

    にとって marks a standpoint for evaluation, not the subject of ability. When saying you 'cannot' do something, the particle には is used, but since it is a basic particle combination, it is not treated as a separate complex grammar pattern here.

  • Confusing にとって with 'towards' (target of an action).

    先生にとって失礼なことを言った。
    先生に対して失礼なことを言った。

    にとって means 'from the standpoint of.' If you are directing an action or attitude toward someone (like being rude), you must use に対して.

How It Connects

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

にとってLevel 3For/to (Perspective)

Learn This First

にとって is a compound particle used to express a viewpoint or evaluation from a specific person's perspective. To understand it, you need to know the basic target marker 'に' and how the 'te-form' functions to create complex expressions. It is most commonly used with nouns representing people or organizations.

Words in This Pattern