# において / における: in; at; regarding

> Learn how to use において / における, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning in; at; regarding, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-ni-oite/

**において / における** means **in; at; regarding**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **mark a place, field, time, or context in formal language**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral to formal** Japanese. If you want to **mark a place, field, time, or context in formal language**, **において / における** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does において / における mean?

Use **において / における** when you want to **mark a place, field, time, or context in formal language**.

Natural translations include:
- in; at; regarding
- in
- in / at / regarding

## How to form において / における

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">において</span>
</div>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">における</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken">Noun</span>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- 会議において
- 現代社会において
- 日本における研究

## When is において / における used?

Use **において / における** in situations like:
- explaining context clearly
- answering JLPT reading questions
- making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:
- neutral to formal
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

## において / における example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">会議において、新しい計画が発表された。</div>
    <div class="example-en">At the meeting, a new plan was announced.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">formal</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">現代社会において、インターネットは重要だ。</div>
    <div class="example-en">In modern society, the internet is important.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">society</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">日本における研究を紹介します。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I will introduce research in Japan.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">prenominal</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">教育において、経験は大切です。</div>
    <div class="example-en">In education, experience is important.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">abstract</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">この時代における女性の役割を考える。</div>
    <div class="example-en">We consider women’s roles in this era.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">prenominal</span></div>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of において / における

The key nuance is **a practical way to express “in; at; regarding” with the right level of emphasis**.

This matters because **において / における** does more than translate one English phrase. It tells the reader how the speaker is framing the situation, whether as emphasis, contrast, obligation, approximation, or evidence.

For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with **で**, it has a different focus and level of formality.

## において / における vs で

Both **において / における** and **で** can appear in related situations, but they are different.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">において / における</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Means in; at; regarding. Fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above.</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Formal writing, speeches, essays, and JLPT reading</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">会議において、新しい計画が発表された。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">At the meeting, a new plan was announced.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">VS</div>
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">で</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Everyday “in/at”.</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Casual conversation and neutral daily contexts</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">会議で、新しい計画が発表された。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">At the meeting, a new plan was announced.</div>
  </div>
</div>

Try replacing it with **で** and check whether the nuance still matches.

## Common mistakes with において / における

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Using において / における with the wrong form.</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Attach において / における only to nouns.</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Confusing において / における with で.</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Use で for everyday “in/at” and において for formal contexts or fields.</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence.</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body">Read the full context to confirm whether the marker is pointing to place, time, field, or context.</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Is において / における on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N3</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p>において / における is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.</p>
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <p>✓ Recognize it in reading</p>
      <p>✓ Understand its nuance in context</p>
      <p>✓ Use it in simple original sentences</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for において / における

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write one sentence using において / における.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">production</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Contrast において / における with で.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Make a JLPT-style sentence with a clear context.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">exam-style</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for において / における

To learn **において / における** efficiently, review basic particles like について and に, then focus on the relationship each formal marker creates.

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <span class="step-body">First, make sure you can form <strong>において / における</strong> without looking at the pattern chart.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <span class="step-body">Next, compare it with <a href="/blog/n3-ni-taishite/">に対して（にたいして）</a>, <a href="/blog/n3-ni-totte/">にとって</a>. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <span class="step-body">Finally, write reading-style sentences about society, research, policy, opinions, and reports; then check whether replacing <strong>において / における</strong> with <a href="/blog/n3-ni-tsuite/">について</a> changes the meaning.</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に対して（にたいして）](/blog/n3-ni-taishite/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [にとって](/blog/n3-ni-totte/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [について](/blog/n3-ni-tsuite/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [に関する / に関して](/blog/n3-ni-kan-suru/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.

## Learn において / における with Hane

If you want to review **において / における** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)