connective N2 uncommon politewritten
に際して — on the occasion of
に際して ・ にさいして
Builds on に当たって
Meaning
- on the occasion of ~ / when (doing) ~ / at the time of ~ — a formal 'when' for a significant, often one-time undertaking
Key sentence
開会に際して、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。
On the occasion of this opening, allow me to say a few words.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun / Verb (plain, non-past) | N + に際して; V(る) + に際して（formal に際し; adnominal に際しての） | 契約に際して / 申し込むに際して |
When: Formal and ceremonial — speeches, greetings, official notices. For an everyday 'when,' use とき.
Examples
契約の更新に際して、条件を見直した。
Upon renewing the contract, we reviewed the terms.
出発に際し、皆様に感謝を申し上げたい。
As I set out, I would like to thank you all.
When you can't use it
- Pairs with a notable or special occasion, typically a one-time undertaking — not routine, repeated events. For ordinary 'when,' use とき.
Easily confused with
際に に際して is heavier and more ceremonial, tied to a momentous undertaking and often a speech-act; 際に is the broader formal 'when' for any official occasion. に当たって Near-synonyms; に当たって leans toward the preparation and resolve going INTO starting something, に際して toward the occasion or moment itself. Often interchangeable. とき とき is the neutral, everyday 'when,' usable anywhere; に際して is markedly formal, reserved for significant occasions.
See に際して in real sentences
Jengo shows に際して 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.