N2 · Expressions (N2)
にさいして, にあたって: on the occasion of
a formal "when" for important occasions
にさいして and にあたって mark a special occasion — a start, an event, a decision — and what is done in view of it.
At a glance
- Remember
- にさいして and にあたって: "on the occasion of" — for ceremonies and new starts, not for every morning.
- Form
- 入学に際してon enrolment
- Signal words
- 〜に際して
- 〜に際し
- 〜にあたって
- 〜にあたり
- 〜の際
- Trap
- Wrong:毎朝、歯を磨くにあたって、水を出す。Right:毎朝、歯を磨くとき、水を出す。
Your turn
8 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.
The form
| on enrolment | 入学に際して |
| on departure | 出発に際し |
| in an emergency | 非常の際は |
| in opening the shop | 開店にあたって |
| in starting a new life | 新しい生活を始めるにあたって |
| compare: everyday | 入学するとき |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
Noun or verb + にさいして: on this special occasion.
ご利用に際して、注意事項をお読みください。Before use, please read the precautions.
にあたって often looks ahead to preparation for what begins.
留学するにあたって、両親とよく話し合った。In preparing to study abroad, I talked it over carefully with my parents.
The occasion is special, not everyday.
結婚にあたって、皆様にご挨拶申し上げます。On the occasion of our wedding, we would like to say a few words to you all.
In conversation, とき is the everyday choice.
会社に入るとき、スーツを買った。When I joined the company, I bought a suit.
Example sentences
卒業に際して、先生方にお礼を申し上げます。On the occasion of our graduation, we would like to thank our teachers.
出国に際して、パスポートを見せてください。Please show your passport when leaving the country.
新しい事業を始めるにあたって、市場を調査した。Before starting the new business, we researched the market.
開会にあたり、一言ご挨拶いたします。In opening the meeting, allow me to say a few words.
引っ越しに際して、古い家具を処分した。When we moved house, we got rid of the old furniture.
就職にあたって、住む場所を決めなければならない。On taking up the job, I have to decide where to live.
7 more example sentences
契約に際して、印鑑が必要です。A personal seal is required when signing the contract.
試験を受けるにあたって、注意してほしいことがあります。There are some points to note before you sit the exam.
災害の際は、近くの学校に避難してください。In the event of a disaster, please evacuate to the nearest school.
社長就任にあたり、抱負を述べた。On taking office as president, he set out his aims.
帰国に際して、友人たちがパーティーを開いてくれた。When I was returning home, my friends threw a party for me.
家を建てるにあたって、色々な専門家に相談した。In building the house, we consulted various experts.
ご入会に際し、身分証明書をお持ちください。Please bring proof of identity when you join.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "when" is the same for a wedding and for brushing one's teeth. に際して and にあたって mark an occasion that matters, and attached to a daily routine they sound pompous. An everyday "when" is とき.
The full explanation
Read it all · about 1 min
に際して and にあたって follow a noun or the dictionary form of a verb and mean "on the occasion of", "when (doing something important)": 入学に際して、書類を提出してください, "on enrolment, please submit the documents"; 新しい生活を始めるにあたって、部屋を探した, "in starting my new life, I looked for a flat".
The occasion is something that does not happen every day: starting school or a job, opening a business, an emergency, a ceremony, a trip abroad. Saying 朝ご飯を食べるにあたって makes breakfast sound like a state occasion.
The two overlap a great deal. に際して is slightly more formal and often concerns the moment itself — what happens or must be done just then. にあたって often looks ahead, to preparation and resolve before something begins: 開店にあたって, "in opening the shop". Both are common in speeches, notices and official letters.
In conversation the same idea is a simple とき: 入学するとき. English "when" or "on" gives no hint of the register, which is why learners need to hear these two first in formal settings.
A closer look
のさい, the shortest form
Notices often use just の際 or 際は: 非常の際はこのボタンを押してください, "in an emergency, press this button"; お降りの際は、お忘れ物にご注意ください, "when leaving the train, please take all your belongings".
It is the polite written equivalent of とき, and it is everywhere in public announcements. The longer に際して adds a sense of ceremony that の際 on a sign does not need.
Worth knowing (1)
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にあたり and にさいし
Without て, the forms にあたり and に際し are even more formal and appear in speeches and official letters, often at the very start: 年頭にあたり, "at the start of the year".
新年を迎えるにあたり、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。As we welcome the new year, allow me to say a few words.
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