目錄
The Japanese grammar pattern 「について」 is often translated as “about” or “regarding,” but its actual nuance is not simply a matter of transferring the Chinese wording directly into Japanese. Its core function is to mark something as the topic of discussion, investigation, explanation, or thought. In the early stages of self-study, many learners confuse 「について」 with Chinese expressions such as “針對” or “對於.” As a result, a sentence may look acceptable in writing or conversation but still sound somewhat unnatural to a native Japanese speaker. For example, when giving a presentation on Japanese culture, you would normally say 「日本文化について発表する」, but when saying that you are interested in Japanese culture, 「日本文化に興味がある」 is more natural. This shows that not every Chinese expression containing “對” can be replaced with the same Japanese grammar pattern. This article explains the core everyday uses of 「について」, including how 「についての」 and 「については」 are formed, and compares their nuances with 「に対して」 and 「にとって」.
What Does 「について」 Mean? Core Usage in Japanese
「について」 is a very common Japanese expression used to mark a topic. Whenever a sentence involves talking about something, asking about a topic, researching information, or explaining a particular subject, 「について」 is likely to appear.
The key point is that it does not indicate the direction of an action or an emotional reaction. Instead, it turns the preceding noun into the scope or subject matter of the action that follows.
| Chinese intuition | Natural Japanese expression | Main nuance |
| Give a presentation about Japanese culture | 日本文化について発表する | Topic of the presentation |
| Explain a new system | 新しい制度について説明する | Content being explained |
| Discuss travel plans | 旅行の計画について話し合う | Topic of discussion |
| Ask about this matter | この件について質問する | Scope of the question |
A useful way to understand 「について」 is: “set the preceding noun as the topic of a conversation, study, explanation, or question.” This is less likely to cause misuse than simply memorizing it as “about.”
「について」 Connection Rules and Three Main Uses
「について」 is almost always preceded by a noun. It is often followed by verbs related to information, thought, and expression, such as 「話す」「聞く」「調べる」「説明する」「考える」「発表する」「書く」.
| Pattern | Function | Example | Meaning |
| Noun＋について | Marks a topic | 日本文化について話す | Talk about Japanese culture |
| Noun＋についての＋noun | Modifies the following noun | 日本文化についての本 | A book about Japanese culture |
| Noun＋については | Highlights a particular topic | この件については確認中です | This matter is currently being checked |
| Interrogative＋について | Asks about the topic | 何について話しますか | What are you going to talk about? |
This grammar pattern itself does not express approval, disapproval, liking, or dislike. If you want to express an attitude or reaction, that meaning is usually completed by the verb or adjective that follows.
Usage ① of 「について」｜Marking the Topic of Conversation, Questions, or Discussion
The most basic use of 「について」 is to indicate the topic of a conversation. The preceding noun is the “content being discussed,” and the following verb is often something like 「話す」「聞く」「相談する」「話し合う」.
- Example: この計画についてどう思いますか。
Kana: このけいかくについてどうおもいますか。
Translation: What do you think about this plan?
In a meeting or classroom discussion, 「この計画」 is set as the topic for exchanging opinions. - Example: 日本の食文化について話しました。
Kana: にほんのしょくぶんかについてはなしました。
Translation: We talked about Japanese food culture.
The verb 「話しました」 expresses the act of talking, while 「日本の食文化」 is the topic of that conversation. - Example: 旅行の予定について少し相談したいです。
Kana: りょこうのよていについてすこしそうだんしたいです。
Translation: I’d like to discuss our travel plans briefly.
This sounds natural when arranging a trip, dividing responsibilities, or confirming an itinerary.
In sentences like these, removing 「について」 does not necessarily make the sentence completely impossible, but it can make the scope of the topic less clear. The role of 「について」 is to tell the listener what the following discussion is centered on.
Usage ② of 「について」｜Indicating the Content of Research, Investigation, or Explanation
「について」 is also very common in school reports, workplace presentations, and administrative explanations. In these cases, it marks the scope of what is being researched, explained, or reported.
- Example: 環境問題について調べています。
Kana: かんきょうもんだいについてしらべています。
Translation: I am researching environmental issues.
This is commonly used when preparing reports, gathering information, or introducing a research topic. - Example: 新しい制度について説明します。
Kana: あたらしいせいどについてせつめいします。
Translation: I will explain the new system.
This is common in workplace meetings, school notices, and government announcements. - Example: この町の歴史についてレポートを書きました。
Kana: このまちのれきしについてレポートをかきました。
Translation: I wrote a report about the history of this town.
Using 「について」 makes the topic of the report clearer.
In formal writing, 「について」 often gives the sentence a clear and neutral tone. In more formal written language, you may also see 「に関して」 or 「に関する」, but 「について」 is already perfectly natural in everyday speech and general writing.
Usage ③ of 「について」｜Using 「についての」 to Modify a Noun
When a noun follows 「について」, the expression normally becomes 「についての＋noun」. The 「の」 is important because it connects the preceding topic to the noun that follows.
- Example: 日本語の文法についての本を読みました。
Kana: にほんごのぶんぽうについてのほんをよみました。
Translation: I read a book about Japanese grammar.
「についての」 modifies 「本」 and indicates the subject matter of the book. - Example: 留学についての情報を集めています。
Kana: りゅうがくについてのじょうほうをあつめています。
Translation: I am collecting information about studying abroad.
This is suitable when talking about website information, information sessions, or application procedures. - Example: 地震についてのニュースを見ました。
Kana: じしんについてのニュースをみました。
Translation: I watched news about the earthquake.
This construction can be used for the subject of news reports, articles, and videos.
Many beginners write something like 「日本語の文法について本」 directly, but without 「の」 connecting the following noun, the phrase sounds unnatural. Whenever a noun follows, pay special attention to using 「についての」.
How Are 「について」, 「に対して」, 「にとって」, and 「に関して」 Different?
「について」 is easily confused with 「に対して」「にとって」「に関して」. In Chinese, all of them may be translated using expressions such as “關於” or “對於,” but their nuances in Japanese are different.
| Pattern | Core nuance | Common Chinese equivalent | Typical combinations |
| について | Topic, scope of content | 關於、針對 | 話す、聞く、調べる、説明する |
| に対して | Target, attitude, reaction, contrast | 對、對於、相對於 | 意見、態度、反応、親切、厳しい |
| にとって | Judgment from someone’s or some group’s perspective | 對……來說 | 大切、必要、難しい、便利 |
| に関して | Regarding, concerning; more formal | 關於、相關於 | 資料、規定、手続き、報告 |
▌Difference ①｜について vs に対して
「について」 marks the topic of a discussion or explanation. 「に対して」 is more like placing a particular target in front of you and expressing an attitude, reaction, or contrast toward it.
- Example: 日本文化について発表しました。
Kana: にほんぶんかについてはっぴょうしました。
Translation: I gave a presentation about Japanese culture.
The focus is the topic of the presentation, so 「について」 is used. - Example: 日本文化に対して強い関心があります。
Kana: にほんぶんかにたいしてつよいかんしんがあります。
Translation: I have a strong interest in Japanese culture.
The focus is an attitude or feeling directed toward Japanese culture, so 「に対して」 is used.
▌Difference ②｜について vs にとって
「について」 indicates the topic being discussed, while 「にとって」 expresses a judgment from a particular person’s or group’s perspective.
- Example: 子どもの教育について話しました。
Kana: こどものきょういくについてはなしました。
Translation: We talked about children’s education.
Children’s education is the topic of the discussion. - Example: 子どもにとって遊びは大切です。
Kana: こどもにとってあそびはたいせつです。
Translation: Play is important for children.
The sentence evaluates the importance of play from the perspective of children, so 「にとって」 is used.
▌Difference ③｜についての vs に関する
「についての」 is common in both spoken Japanese and general writing. 「に関する」 is more formal and often appears in documents, news reports, research, and official notices.
- Example: 旅行についての本を読みました。
Kana: りょこうについてのほんをよみました。
Translation: I read a book about travel.
This is natural and everyday language, suitable for general descriptions. - Example: 旅行に関する資料を集めました。
Kana: りょこうにかんするしりょうをあつめました。
Translation: I collected materials related to travel.
This has a more formal tone and is common in reports, research, and administrative documents.
How Is 「について」 Used in Everyday Conversation? Three Practical Situations
「について」 does not appear only in grammar books. It is frequently used when asking questions while traveling, giving classroom presentations, attending workplace meetings, speaking at administrative service counters, and reading the news. It makes sentences sound more organized and helps make the scope of the topic clearer.
▌Situation ①｜Asking About an Event at a Tourist Information Center
A：このイベントについて、少し教えてください。
このイベントについて、すこしおしえてください。
Please tell me a little about this event.
B：はい。時間と場所についてご案内します。
はい。じかんとばしょについてごあんないします。
Certainly. I’ll explain the time and location.
In this kind of situation, 「について」 naturally focuses the scope of the question on things such as the event, time, location, tickets, and transportation.
▌Situation ②｜Opening a Classroom Presentation
A：今日は日本の食文化について発表します。
きょうはにほんのしょくぶんかについてはっぴょうします。
Today, I will give a presentation about Japanese food culture.
B：発表のあとで、内容について質問してもいいですか。
はっぴょうのあとで、ないようについてしつもんしてもいいですか。
May I ask a question about the content after the presentation?
In classes, study groups, and presentations, 「について」 is a reliable way to mark the topic. Using it at the beginning clearly tells the audience what the following content will cover.
▌Situation ③｜Confirming a New Rule in a Workplace Meeting
A：新しいルールについて、質問があります。
あたらしいルールについて、しつもんがあります。
I have a question about the new rule.
B：どの点について確認したいですか。
どのてんについてかくにんしたいですか。
Which point would you like to confirm?
In workplace communication, 「について」 helps present a question in a more organized and polite way. It also sounds more structured than simply stating a noun directly.
Cultural Notes
- Japanese places considerable importance on indicating the “scope of the topic.” Expressions such as 「について」「に関して」「とは」「というのは」 help listeners grasp the framework of what will follow.
- 「について」 is neither stiff nor excessively formal. It can be used in everyday conversation as well as in reports and workplace emails. When a more formal tone is needed, 「に関して」 or 「に関する」 may be used instead.
- In everyday life in Japan, expressions such as 「ビザについて」「手続きについて」「授業について」 sound natural when asking questions at a city hall, tourist information center, or school office.
How Does Japanese 「について」 Compare with Korean 「에 대해」?
If you are also studying Korean, Japanese 「について」 can be roughly compared with Korean 「에 대해／에 대해서」. Both are commonly used to mean “about a particular topic.”
- Example: 일본 문화에 대해 발표했어요.
Romanization: ilbon munhwa-e daehae balpyohaesseoyo.
Translation: I gave a presentation about Japanese culture. - Example: 환경 문제에 대해 조사하고 있어요.
Romanization: hwangyeong munje-e daehae josahago isseoyo.
Translation: I am researching environmental issues.
However, Japanese and Korean cannot always be matched one-to-one. When modifying a noun, Japanese uses 「についての」, while Korean commonly uses 「에 대한」.
- Example: 유학에 대한 정보
Romanization: yuhak-e daehan jeongbo
Translation: Information about studying abroad.
This comparison makes the distinction easier to understand: 「について」 tends to mark the topic within a sentence, while 「についての」 functions more like Korean 「에 대한」 by modifying the noun that follows.
Once you understand the core concept of 「について」, it becomes clear that it is essentially a tool for marking the focus of a sentence. It first defines the range of what everyone is about to discuss, allowing the following action or explanation to develop around that topic. From discussing travel plans and explaining a new system at work to casually asking for details about an event, this grammar pattern appears very frequently in everyday life.
FAQs
「について」 is commonly translated as “about” or “regarding.” Its core function is to mark the topic of a conversation, explanation, investigation, research project, or presentation.
In its basic usage, 「について」 normally follows a noun, as in 「日本文化について」 or 「旅行について」. If the original idea is expressed as a verb in Chinese, Japanese will usually nominalize it or replace it with an appropriate noun expression.
「について」 marks a topic, as in 「日本文化について話す」. 「に対して」 expresses an attitude, reaction, or contrast directed toward a target, as in 「日本文化に対して関心がある」.
It is used when a noun follows, as in 「日本語についての本」 or 「留学についての情報」. The 「の」 connects the topic to the following noun.
「について」 can be used in both everyday and formal situations. For a more formal written tone, 「に関して」 or 「に関する」 can be used instead.