# にまつわる: to be related to; to concern; associated with ~

> Learn how to use にまつわる, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning related to or associated with, with structure, nuance, examples, comparison, and practice.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-matsuwaru/

**にまつわる** means **to be related to; to concern; associated with ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern that modifies a noun to show that what follows is deeply connected to the noun—often in terms of story, folklore, legend, or strongly contextualised association.

This grammar point appears in literature, news articles, and formal speech. If you want to express that something is deeply bound up with a topic, a legend, a person’s history, or a mysterious context, **にまつわる** is the pattern that carries that weight.

## What does にまつわる mean?

Use **にまつわる** when you want to express that something is closely related to, associated with, or intertwined with a given noun. It attaches directly to the noun and qualifies a following noun phrase.

Natural translations include:
- related to; concerning; associated with; connected to; that surround(s)~

The best translation depends on the sentence. Often English will use a prepositional phrase (“about,” “regarding,” “surrounding”), but the core idea is a sense of *attachment*—stories that grow around a thing, anecdotes tied to a figure, mysteries wrapped up in a place.

## How to form にまつわる

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">＋</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">にまつわる</span>
  <span class="fplus">＋</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
</div>

<p class="formula">Noun + にまつわる + Noun</p>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>伝説<rp>(</rp><rt>でんせつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>伝説<rt>でんせつ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>話<rp>(</rp><rt>はなし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>
- この<ruby>地方<rt>ちほう</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>昔話<rt>むかしばなし</rt></ruby>
- <ruby>彼女<rt>かのじょ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>不気味<rt>ぶきみ</rt></ruby>な<ruby>噂<rt>うわさ</rt></ruby>

The grammar point is the attributive (<ruby>連体<rp>(</rp><rt>れんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>形<rp>(</rp><rt>けい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) form of the verb まつわる, which means “to be entangled with” or “to be related to.” It always modifies a noun and never stands as a predicate (you wouldn’t say ○○がまつわる in the same way). Because it’s attributive, the noun that follows is the “thing” that is related to the preceding noun.

On the JLPT, you’ll sometimes see distractors that pair the correct meaning with the wrong form (e.g., trying to use にまつわって as a final predicate where only にまつわる is correct before a noun).

## When is にまつわる used?

Use **にまつわる** in situations like:
- describing folklore, legends, or mysterious accounts linked to a place, person, or event
- introducing background context in news reports or documentaries  
- formal or literary storytelling where the connection feels deep, historical, or emotionally charged

Tone and register:
- formal to literary; rarely used in casual chat  
- carries a nuance of “accumulated stories around something”  
- common in titles and lead-in sentences of feature articles

## にまつわる example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">この<ruby>古城<rt>こじょう</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>悲劇<rt>ひげき</rt></ruby>の<ruby>伝説<rt>でんせつ</rt></ruby>が、<ruby>観光客<rt>かんこうきゃく</rt></ruby>を<ruby>惹<rt>ひ</rt></ruby>きつける。</p>
    <p class="example-en">The tragic legend associated with this old castle draws tourists.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">historical / literary</p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>の<ruby>急死<rt>きゅうし</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>様々<rt>さまざま</rt></ruby>な<ruby>噂<rt>うわさ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>飛<rt>と</rt></ruby>び<ruby>交<rt>か</rt></ruby>った。</p>
    <p class="example-en">All sorts of rumors surrounding his sudden death flew around.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">report / formal</p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>湖<rt>みずうみ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>怪談<rt>かいだん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>いてから、<ruby>夜<rt>よる</rt></ruby>は<ruby>近寄<rt>ちかよ</rt></ruby>れなくなった。</p>
    <p class="example-en">After hearing the ghost story related to the lake, I could no longer go near it at night.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">storytelling</p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">この<ruby>神社<rt>じんじゃ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>奇跡<rt>きせき</rt></ruby>の<ruby>言<rt>い</rt></ruby>い<ruby>伝<rt>つた</rt></ruby>えが、<ruby>地元<rt>じもと</rt></ruby>の<ruby>信仰<rt>しんこう</rt></ruby>を<ruby>支<rt>ささ</rt></ruby>えている。</p>
    <p class="example-en">The tradition of miracles associated with this shrine supports the local faith.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">cultural / explanatory</p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>大企業<rt>だいきぎょう</rt></ruby>の<ruby>不正<rt>ふせい</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>内部告発<rt>ないぶこくはつ</rt></ruby>が、<ruby>連日<rt>れんじつ</rt></ruby><ruby>報道<rt>ほうどう</rt></ruby>されている。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whistleblowing related to the large corporation’s fraud is being reported day after day.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">news / formal</p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>私<rt>わたし</rt></ruby>たちは<ruby>事件<rt>じけん</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>資料<rt>しりょう</rt></ruby>を<ruby>集<rt>あつ</rt></ruby>めている。</p>
    <p class="example-en">We are collecting materials related to the incident.</p>
    <p class="example-tag">neutral / formal</p>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **にまつわる** is doing: it’s tying the following noun to the preceding noun in a way that suggests a deeper-than-surface connection—legend, rumor, background, or an entangled story. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of にまつわる

The key nuance is **a deep, often story-like or context-laden connection** between the topic and what is said about it.

This matters because learners often treat it as a simple synonym for “about.” But **にまつわる** implies that the information has “grown around” the core noun—like ivy around a wall. It is especially fitting for:
- urban legends, ghost stories
- historical anecdotes
- scandals and rumors that accumulate around a person or institution

Compared with **に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** (neutral “concerning”), **にまつわる** adds an emotional or narrative weight. It says, “This isn’t just a topic; it’s a story that clings to the subject.” That difference becomes crucial in N1 reading comprehension, where tone is tested.

## にまつわる vs に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

Both **にまつわる** and **に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** can express “related to” or “concerning,” but they are different.

**にまつわる**:
- narrative, entangled, often mysterious or emotionally charged connection
- used about legends, rumors, background stories
- more literary; sounds rich and vivid

**に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**:
- neutral, factual “regarding” or “in relation to”
- used in academic, business, and objective reports
- doesn’t carry emotional or story-like weight

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp cmp-a">
    <p class="cmp-head">にまつわる</p>
    <p class="cmp-sub">Deep, story-laden association</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg"><ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>怪談<rp>(</rp><rt>かいだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">a ghost story tied to (clinging to) the lake</p>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp cmp-b">
    <p class="cmp-head">に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></p>
    <p class="cmp-sub">Neutral, factual connection</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg"><ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>調査<rp>(</rp><rt>ちょうさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>報告<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">a research report about the lake</p>
  </div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the passage a legend, a piece of gossip, or a feature story full of atmosphere? If yes, **にまつわる** fits. If it’s a dry fact sheet, **に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is safer.

## Common mistakes with にまつわる

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>湖<rt>みずうみ</rt></ruby>がまつわる<ruby>怪談<rt>かいだん</rt></ruby></span>
    </div>
    <p class="note">Using がまつわる before a noun is grammatically unnatural; the attributive form after a noun always takes に, not が. The subject would instead be marked with が in a relative clause like “<ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>怪談<rp>(</rp><rt>かいだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>” where the core is “<ruby>怪談<rp>(</rp><rt>かいだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわる”.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body">その<ruby>話<rt>はなし</rt></ruby>は<ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわるです。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body">その<ruby>話<rt>はなし</rt></ruby>は<ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>話<rt>はなし</rt></ruby>だ。/ <ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわっている。</span>
    </div>
    <p class="note">にまつわる is an attributive form, not a predicate. To end a sentence, you need a copula after a noun phrase (<ruby>湖<rp>(</rp><rt>みずうみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>話<rp>(</rp><rt>はなし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ) or use the te-iru form (にまつわっている).</p>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼女<rt>かのじょ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>噂<rt>うわさ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>噂<rt>うわさ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>いた。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼女<rt>かのじょ</rt></ruby>にまつわる<ruby>噂<rt>うわさ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>いた。</span>
    </div>
    <p class="note">Don’t double the noun. にまつわる already modifies the following noun; you don’t need another <ruby>噂<rp>(</rp><rt>うわさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> as subject.</p>
  </div>
</div>

A helpful practice method is to take a simple **に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** phrase and rewrite it with **にまつわる** only if the context has a story-like or mysterious quality. Ask yourself: “Does this feel like a legend or rumour that clings to something?” If not, stick with に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>.

## Is にまつわる on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    Yes. <strong>にまつわる</strong> appears on the <strong>JLPT N1</strong> reading and grammar sections, usually in passages about folklore, history, or news features where narrative nuance is being tested. It is less about rote translation and more about recognising that the author chose a vivid, entangled connection over a plain one.
  </div>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <p>N1 learners should be able to:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>recognise it in natural text and understand its attributive role</li>
      <li>distinguish it from に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> and について in tone and usage</li>
      <li>use it correctly in a noun-modifying phrase when writing about legends, anecdotes, or context-rich reports</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for にまつわる

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Describe a local legend using にまつわる. Start with the name of a place or person, then add what is associated with it (e.g., a ghost, a miracle, a strange event).</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">writing</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Take a news headline (real or imagined) and rewrite it to include にまつわる where the story behind the event is rich—scandal, mystery, or deep background.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">transform</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write two sentences about the same topic: one with に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> and one with にまつわる. Explain how the nuance changes.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Listen for or find a sentence using にまつわる in a podcast, news article, or drama. Note the context—does it feel like a dry report or a story-laden background? </span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">real‑world</span>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the attributive structure feels natural, add more context so that the narrative tone becomes clear.

## Learning path for にまつわる

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      <p>Master the formation. Write a handful of “Noun ＋ にまつわる ＋ Noun” combinations without checking notes. Check that the final noun is a thing that can logically be “attached” to the first noun in a story-like way.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      <p>Study a direct contrast with に<ruby>関する<rp>(</rp><rt>かんする</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. Find a short paragraph in Japanese that uses one of them, and swap it out—does it feel wrong? This sharpens your sense of register and nuance.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      <p>Move on to the related forms listed below: にまつわっている (ongoing association) and even にまつわる<ruby>話<rp>(</rp><rt>はなし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>として (as a story connected to…). This will broaden your active use.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      <p>Produce original sentences for practice questions 1‑3, then have a native speaker or tutor confirm the tone is spot-on.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because it is the core particle that many advanced patterns build upon
- [に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because it also attaches to a noun with に and expresses “worthy of,” another N1 attributive-like nuance
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it marks a situation or context, often formal and literary
- [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because like にまつわる, it uses に to create a strong collocation with a noun, showing a clear contrast

## Learn にまつわる with Hane

If you want to review **にまつわる** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)