GrammarJLPT N5
〜にたいして
→ towards
Towards / Against / In contrast to
JLPT N5Compound particleNeutral
〜に対して is a compound particle used to indicate the target or object of an action, feeling, or attitude, translating as "towards" or "against." It can also be used to draw a contrast between two things, functioning similarly to "in contrast to" or "whereas." When expressing direction of an attitude or action, 〜に対して emphasizes that the action is specifically directed at a particular person, group, or thing, making it more intentional and focused than simply using the particle に alone. Unlike 〜について, which means "about" or "concerning" a topic, 〜に対して implies a more direct, face-to-face relationship between the subject and the target — the subject is actively oriented toward or reacting to the object. The form 〜に対する is used as a noun modifier (before a noun), while 〜に対して is used adverbially (before a verb or clause). This grammar point is common in both spoken and written Japanese across neutral to formal registers.
Functions
#1 Directing an action or attitude towards someone/something
Structure
Noun + に対して + Action/Attitude
先生は学生に対してやさしい。
Here に対して marks 学生 (students) as the target of the teacher's kind attitude. The grammar point highlights that the kindness is specifically directed at the students, not just a general personality trait. This use is common when describing how someone feels, behaves, or acts toward a particular person or group.The teacher is kind towards the students.
Structures
- Noun
- Noun + に対して / に対する + Noun
- Clause (contrast use)
- Sentence A + のに対して + Sentence B
Common mistakes
A frequent mistake is confusing 〜に対して with 〜について. While 〜について means "about" or "regarding" a topic of discussion, 〜に対して implies a directed attitude, action, or contrast — so saying 日本語に対して勉強する is incorrect because studying is not directed "against" or "toward" a target in that sense; 日本語について勉強する is correct. Another common error is using に対して before a noun instead of に対する; remember that に対する is the attributive form that must be used when modifying a noun directly. Learners also sometimes forget the の when using the contrastive function with clauses — the correct form is Clause + のに対して, not Clause + に対して. Finally, be careful not to confuse 〜に対して with 〜にとって, which means "for" in the sense of personal perspective or evaluation, not directed action.
Related
〜について〜に向かって〜にとって〜に比べて〜に反して