について means about; regarding. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to introduce the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying.
This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to introduce the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying, について is a useful pattern to learn.
What does について mean?
Use について when you want to introduce the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying.
Natural translations include:
- about; regarding
- about
- about / regarding
How to form について
Noun + について
Examples of the pattern:
- 日本語について
- 将来について
- この問題について
When is について used?
Use について in situations like:
- discussing a topic
- asking about something
- writing or researching a subject
Tone and register:
- neutral
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences
について example sentences
- 日本の文化について勉強しています。 — I am studying about Japanese culture.
- 将来について、よく考えた方がいい。 — You should think carefully about your future.
- この問題について質問があります。 — I have a question about this issue.
- 先生は試験について説明した。 — The teacher explained about the exam.
- 環境についての本を読みました。 — I read a book about the environment.
After reading each sentence, ask what job について is doing: introducing the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying.
Nuance of について
The key nuance is a broad topic marker for information and discussion.
This matters because について does more than translate one English phrase. It shows how the speaker connects ideas, evaluates a situation, or frames the sentence for the listener.
For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with に関して, it has a different focus and level of formality.
について vs に関して
Both について and に関して can appear in related situations, but they are different.
について:
- means about; regarding
- fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above
に関して:
- に関して is more formal/written; について is common and neutral
Quick contrast examples:
- Target: 日本の文化について勉強しています。 — I am studying about Japanese culture.
- Compare: Try replacing it with に関して and check whether the nuance still matches.
Common mistakes with について
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it for direct targets where に対して is needed
- Forgetting についての before nouns
- Overusing it when a simple を or が is required
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with について, then rewrite it with に関して.
Is について on the JLPT?
Yes. について is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for について
- Ask about the exam.
- Say you studied Japanese culture.
- Write a sentence about your future.
Learning path for について
To learn について efficiently, review basic particles like について and に, then focus on the relationship each formal marker creates.
- First, make sure you can form について without looking at the pattern chart.
- Next, compare it with に対して（にたいして）, にとって.
- Finally, write reading-style sentences about society, research, policy, opinions, and reports; then check whether replacing について with に関する / に関して changes the meaning.
Related grammar to review next
- に対して（にたいして） — toward; against; in contrast with.
- にとって — for; from the viewpoint of.
- に関する / に関して — about; regarding.
- において / における — in; at; regarding.
Learn について with Hane
If you want to review について together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about について
What does について (ni tsuite) mean in Japanese?
について (ni tsuite) means “about; regarding”. It is JLPT N3 grammar. Use について when you want to introduce the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying.
How do you form について (ni tsuite)?
Noun + について
What is an example sentence with について (ni tsuite)?
日本の文化について勉強しています。 — I am studying about Japanese culture.