# にして: at / on / under certain conditions (time, position, age, number of times) > Learn how to use にして, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning at, on, under certain conditions, with structure, nuance, examples, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-shite/ **にして** means **at / on / under certain conditions (time, position, age, number of times)**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to pinpoint a specific time, age, position, or attempt at which something happens—often implying that the circumstance is remarkable or decisive. This grammar point often appears in formal writing, news articles, historical accounts, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to emphasize that something occurred under a precise and noteworthy condition—like an astonishingly young age or a final attempt—**にして** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds a refined, literary precision to your Japanese. ## What does にして mean? Use **にして** when you want to single out a particular point in time, a certain age, a specific social position, or a numbered attempt as the setting for an event. The grammar often carries a nuance that the condition is unexpected, noteworthy, or definitive. Natural translations include: - at (that exact age / time) - on (a particular attempt / occasion) - under (the condition of being …) - as (holding a certain office or status) The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s intent first—are they highlighting a youthful achievement, a third try, or a formal role?—then choose the English phrase that fits. ## How to form にして
Noun + にして
The noun can indicate: - **age**: 10歳さい, 二十はた歳ち - **number of attempts**: 3回かい目め, 度たび目め - **time or occasion**: 今こん日にち, 半はん世せい紀き - **position or status**: 一国いっこくの首相しゅしょう, 一家いっかの主あるじ Examples of the pattern: - 10歳さいにして - 3回かい目めにして - 一国いっこくの首相しゅしょうにして The noun before にして is the precise condition. In JLPT questions, wrong choices often use にして with a verb or an adjective stem—always remember that にして attaches to a noun. ## When is にして used? Use **にして** in situations like: - pointing out a remarkable age at which someone achieves something - emphasizing that only after a certain number of attempts did success come - formally stating that a person, in their capacity as a leader, does (or fails to do) something - describing a specific time or historical juncture that serves as the backdrop for a statement Tone and register: - formal and literary; common in written Japanese, official statements, historical narration - not used in casual daily conversation (use で, に, or ときに instead) ## にして example sentences
彼かれは10歳さいにして大学だいがくに入学にゅうがくした。
He entered university at the age of 10.
precocious age
3度ど目めの試験しけんにしてようやく合格ごうかくした。
On the third exam attempt, I finally passed.
decisive attempt
わずか20歳さいにして社長しゃちょうに就任しゅうにんした。
At just 20 years old, she became president of the company.
young position
一国いっこくの首相しゅしょうにして、そのような発言はつげんは許ゆるされない。
As the prime minister of a nation, such remarks are unforgivable.
formal role
五十ごじゅうにして初はじめて故郷こきょうを訪おとずれた。
At fifty, he visited his hometown for the first time.
late milestone
After reading each sentence, ask what job **にして** is doing: it pins the event to a remarkable point—a striking age, a final try, a high office. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of にして The key nuance is **the condition itself is presented as noteworthy**. - With **age**, にして often implies “already at such a young age” or “finally at that advanced age.” - With **number of attempts**, it can suggest “only after X tries” or “just on the Xth try,” underlining effort or luck. - With **position**, it adds a formal, almost dramatic weight: “in one’s capacity as…” This matters because learners sometimes use にして as a plain “at” or “on.” In reality, its literary ring makes it unsuitable for neutral descriptions—reserve it for moments when the condition itself is the headline. ## にして vs に当たっ(あたっ)て Both **にして** and **に当たっ(あたっ)て** can locate an event at a point, but they are different.
にして
at a striking condition (age, attempt, status)
The condition itself is remarkable.
10歳さいにして大学だいがくに入学にゅうがくした。
At age 10 (!!), he entered university.
vs
に当たっ(あたっ)て
upon the occasion of an event
Focus is on the event, not the oddity of the timing.
入学にゅうがくに当あたってスピーチをした。
Upon entering school, she gave a speech.
If both translations seem possible, check whether you’re highlighting a remarkable fact (にして) or simply marking an occasion (に当たっ(あたっ)て). ## Common mistakes with にして
❌
10歳さいにして誕生日たんじょうびパーティーをした。
✅
10歳さいのときに誕生日たんじょうびパーティーをした。
When the age is just a routine detail, use のときに. にして would sound weirdly dramatic.
❌
先生せんせいにして親切しんせつだ。
✅
先生せんせいにしては親切しんせつだ。
Don’t confuse にして with にしては (considering). にして only marks a condition, not a contrast.
A helpful practice: write a sentence with にして and then ask a native speaker whether it sounds appropriately dramatic. If it feels forced, scale back. ## Is にして on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. にして is a solid JLPT N1 grammar point.

For test prep, practice reading sentences that mix にして with its look‑alikes; the context will always supply the dramatic cue. ## Practice questions for にして
1 Write a sentence using にして to describe a remarkable achievement at a young age. age
2 Write a sentence where someone only succeeds after a third attempt—use 3回目(かいめ)にして. attempt
3 Create a formal statement beginning with “一国(いちこく)のリーダーにして” and end with what they should not do. position
4 Take a neutral sentence using ときに and transform it into a にして version. Does it still make sense? Why or why not? comparison
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the remarkable nuance becomes obvious. ## Learning path for にして To learn **にして** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
1
Make sure you can attach にして to nouns that express age, counts, and formal roles without hesitation.
2
Compare it with に当たっ(あたっ)て. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them sharpens your sense of dramatic timing vs. simple occasion.
3
Write three original sentences where にして is necessary because the condition itself is surprising. Then read them aloud—the formal, literary rhythm should feel natural.
4
Test yourself by replacing にして with a related pattern (に, で, において) and check whether the emphasis is lost. If the original sentence was flat, revisit the nuance section.
## Related grammar to review next - [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because it also marks a location or time, but without the dramatic emphasis of にして - [に値(あたい)する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because it uses the same に framework to express worthiness, another formal, abstract condition - [に当たっ(あたっ)て](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it similarly pinpoints an occasion, but focuses on the event rather than the striking condition - [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it also works with nouns + に, but contrasts one condition with another ## Learn にして with Hane If you want to review **にして** 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/)