JLPT N3 Relational phrases: about, for, through
Compound particles like について and に関して mean "about", にとって "from the viewpoint of", and に対して "toward" or "in contrast with". を通じて, を中心に, and として frame the channel, focus, or role, and につれて and にしたがって link two changes. Mixing up にとって and に対して is the most common error: にとって is about viewpoint, not direction.
19 N3 grammar points in this group
について (ni tsuite): about; regarding
Use について when you want to introduce the topic of speaking, thinking, writing, or studying.
日本の文化について勉強しています。 — I am studying about Japanese culture.
に関する / に関して (ni kan suru): about; regarding
Use に関する / に関して when you want to introduce the topic something relates to.
環境に関するニュースを読んだ。 — I read news related to the environment.
にとって (ni totte): for; from the viewpoint of
Use にとって when you want to show whose perspective, value, or judgment something applies to.
家族は私にとって一番大切です。 — Family is the most important thing to me.
に対して (ni taishite): toward; against; in contrast with
Use に対して（にたいして） when you want to mark the target of an attitude/action or contrast two things.
彼は誰に対しても親切です。 — He is kind toward everyone.
として (toshite): as; in the role of
Use として when you want to identify a role, status, capacity, or viewpoint.
彼は医者として働いています。 — He works as a doctor.
によって / による (ni yotte): by; due to; depending on
Use によって / による when you want to show means, cause, agent, or variation depending on something.
地震によって、多くの建物が壊れた。 — Many buildings were destroyed due to the earthquake.
において / における (ni oite): in; at; regarding
Use において / における when you want to mark a place, field, time, or context in formal language.
会議において、新しい計画が発表された。 — At the meeting, a new plan was announced.
にかけて (ni kakete): over; through; concerning
Use にかけて when you want to mark a range of time/place or an area of skill and confidence.
今夜から明日にかけて雨が降るでしょう。 — It will rain from tonight through tomorrow.
に反して (ni hanshite): contrary to; against
Use に反して when you want to show that something goes against expectations, rules, or wishes.
予想に反して、試験は簡単だった。 — Contrary to expectations, the exam was easy.
にかわって / にかわり (ni kawatte): instead of; on behalf of
Use にかわって / にかわり when you want to show replacement or acting for someone/something.
父にかわって、私が挨拶します。 — I will give greetings on behalf of my father.
代わりに (kawari ni): instead of; in exchange for; as a substitute
Use 代わりに（かわりに） when you want to express substitution, exchange, or doing something in another's place.
彼の代わりに会議に出た。 — I attended the meeting in his place.
とおりに (toori ni): as; in the same way as
Use とおりに when you want to do something according to a model, instruction, or expectation.
説明のとおりに、ボタンを押してください。 — Please press the button as explained.
を中心に (o chuushin ni): centered on; focusing on
Use を中心に（をちゅうしんに） when you want to show the main center, focus, or core of an activity or group.
東京を中心に、イベントが開かれた。 — Events were held mainly in Tokyo.
をはじめ (o hajime): starting with; including
Use をはじめ when you want to give a representative example at the start of a larger list.
日本をはじめ、多くの国でこの問題が起きている。 — Starting with Japan, this problem is occurring in many countries.
を込めて (o komete): with; filled with
Use を込めて（をこめて） when you want to show that feeling, meaning, or effort is put into an action or object.
感謝を込めて、手紙を書きました。 — I wrote a letter with gratitude.
を通じて / を通して (o tsuujite): through; via; throughout
Use を通じて / を通して（をつうじて / をとおして） when you want to show a medium, method, or entire period through which something happens.
友達を通じて、彼女と知り合った。 — I met her through a friend.
につれて (ni tsurete): as; in proportion to; with
Use につれて when you want to show that one gradual change happens together with another.
年を取るにつれて、考え方が変わってきた。 — As I got older, my way of thinking changed.
にしたがって (ni shitagatte): as; in accordance with; according to
Use にしたがって when you want to show that one change follows another, or that an action follows a rule or instruction.
年を取るにしたがって、体力が落ちてきた。 — As I get older, my physical strength has declined.
と共に (to tomo ni): together with; at the same time as
Use と共に（とともに） when you want to show accompaniment, simultaneous change, or addition.
家族と共に日本へ来ました。 — I came to Japan together with my family.
More JLPT N3 grammar groups
- Conditionals, wishes, and regrets (10)
- Contrast and concession: even if, although (13)
- Cause, reason, and result (9)
- Purpose, intention, and effort (14)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Hearsay, conjecture, and appearance (15)
- Partial and strong negation (9)
- Time, timing, and gradual change (20)
- Compound verbs and suffixes (20)
- Degree, comparison, and emphasis (20)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (18)