particle N3 common politewritten
に対して — toward
に対して ・ にたいして
Meaning
① target (toward): toward / to / for ~ — directs an action, feeling, or attitude at a specific target
② in contrast / whereas: in contrast to / whereas ~ — sets one thing against another
Key sentence
① target (toward)
先生に対して失礼な態度を取ってはいけない。
You mustn't take a rude attitude toward a teacher.
② in contrast / whereas
兄が社交的なのに対して、弟は内気だ。
Whereas the older brother is sociable, the younger one is shy.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (target) or plain clause + の (contrast) | N + に対して; [clause(plain)] + のに対して | 客に対して / 安いのに対して |
Variants
に対し — Clipped, more formal/written — common in reports and legal text.
Examples
① target (toward)
質問に対して丁寧に答えた。
He answered the question politely.
子どもに対してそんな話し方をするな。
Don't talk to a child that way.
② in contrast / whereas
都会の家賃が高いのに対して、田舎は安い。
City rent is high, whereas the countryside is cheap.
去年の夏が涼しかったのに対して、今年は猛暑だ。
In contrast to last summer being cool, this year is a scorcher.
Easily confused with
について について = 'about / concerning' the topic of discussion (質問について話す = discuss the question). に対して directs an action or feeling AT a target (質問に対して答える = answer in response to the question), or contrasts two things. 反面 Both can contrast. に対して sets two SEPARATE things against each other (A vs B); 反面 points out two opposite sides of the SAME one thing.
Notes
- The noun-modifying form is に対する: 政府に対する不満 'dissatisfaction toward the government.'
See に対して in real sentences
Jengo shows に対して 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 Advanced Japanese Grammar.