connective N2 uncommon politewritten
に当たって — on the occasion of
に当たって ・ にあたって
Meaning
- on (the occasion of) ~ / in undertaking ~ / now that one is about to ~ — frames the special moment of starting something important, often with the attitude going into it
Key sentence
新生活を始めるに当たって、目標を立てた。
On beginning my new life, I set some goals.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun / Verb (plain, non-past) | N + に当たって; V(る) + に当たって（formal に当たり; adnominal に当たっての） | 入学に当たって / 研究を進めるに当たって |
When: Formal and written — common in speeches and prefaces about embarking on something.
Examples
入学に当たって、校長が祝辞を述べた。
On the occasion of enrollment, the principal gave a congratulatory address.
研究を進めるに当たり、多くの方に協力いただいた。
In carrying out the research, I received help from many people.
When you can't use it
- Used for a significant, usually forward-looking undertaking — not for trivial or purely past events. Do not confuse with に当たる 'corresponds to / amounts to,' which is a different pattern.
Easily confused with
See に当たって in real sentences
Jengo shows に当たって the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.