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
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
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.
Try replacing it with で and check whether the nuance still matches.
Common mistakes with において / における
Is において / における on the JLPT?
において / における is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.
✓ Recognize it in reading
✓ Understand its nuance in context
✓ Use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for において / における
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.
Related grammar to review next
- に対して（にたいして） — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- にとって — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- について — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- に関する / に関して — 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:
FAQ about において / における
What does において / における mean in Japanese?
において / における means “in; at; regarding” in Japanese. It is an N3 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is において / における on the JLPT?
において / における is taught as N3 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N3 patterns.
How should I practice において / における?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after において / における, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.