N2 · Expressions (N2)
にたいして: towards, whereas, per
towards, in response to, whereas
One phrase that aims an attitude at a target, sets two facts against each other, or gives a ratio.
に対して points something at a target. With words of attitude and response — being kind or strict, answering, protesting, apologising — it marks who or what the attitude is aimed at: 客に対して丁寧だ, "polite to customers"; 質問に対して答える, "to answer a question". Before a noun it becomes に対する: 環境に対する関心, "interest in the environment".
After a whole clause, のに対して sets two facts side by side: "whereas". 兄は背が高いのに対して、弟は低い — the older brother is tall, the younger one short. The の turns the clause into a noun so the phrase can attach, and a na-adjective or noun keeps its な: 静かなのに対して. This is not the "although" のに; nothing here is unexpected.
Between two quantities it gives a ratio: 学生十人に対して先生一人, "one teacher for every ten students".
The mistake English speakers make is to use it for "about". に対して is aimed at something; について is about it. You talk, write and think について a subject, but you feel, act and respond に対して it. "Her attitude towards the plan" is に対する; "a book about the plan" is についての.
The form
| towards (before a verb or adjective) | 客に対して |
| towards (before a noun) | 客に対する態度 |
| the same, mostly in speech | 客に対しての態度 |
| written linking form | 客に対し、… |
| whereas (after a clause) | 高いのに対して |
| whereas (after a na-adjective) | 静かなのに対して |
| per, for every | 十人に対して |
The rules one by one
With attitudes and responses, に対して marks the person or thing they are aimed at.
彼は誰に対しても親切だ。He is kind to everyone.
Before a noun, use に対する; に対しての is also heard, mostly in speech.
政府の対応に対する批判が強まっている。Criticism of the government's response is growing.
After a clause, のに対して contrasts two facts: "whereas".
東京は晴れたのに対して、大阪は一日中雨だった。Tokyo was sunny, whereas it rained all day in Osaka.
Between two numbers, に対して gives a ratio.
参加者五人に対して、部屋を一つ用意した。We prepared one room for every five participants.
A closer look
Three meanings, one picture
The kanji 対 means "facing", and all three uses are a kind of facing. An attitude faces the person it is aimed at. Two facts set side by side face each other, which is why のに対して is a contrast rather than a surprise. And in a ratio one number faces another, as in a score of "three to one".
Seeing the picture also explains what the phrase is not. It has no opinion of its own: 計画に対して does not mean "against the plan" until a word such as 反対 or 批判 follows. And it does not mean "about": a book faces nobody.
How to spot it
- に対して
- に対する
- に対し
- のに対して
Example sentences
子どもに対してそんな言い方はよくない。You should not talk to a child like that.
お客様からの苦情に対して、すぐに返事をした。We replied at once to the customer's complaint.
若者の政治に対する関心が低い。Young people take little interest in politics.
姉が社交的なのに対して、私は人見知りだ。My sister is outgoing, whereas I am shy with people I do not know.
住民は工場の建設に対して反対の声を上げた。The residents spoke out against the building of the factory.
社員十人に対して車が一台ある。There is one car for every ten employees.
7 more example sentences
先生に対して失礼なことを言ってしまった。I said something rude to the teacher.
彼女の意見に対して、誰も何も言わなかった。Nobody said anything in response to her opinion.
地震に対する備えは十分ですか。Are you properly prepared for an earthquake?
去年は輸出が増えたのに対して、輸入は減った。Last year exports rose, whereas imports fell.
部長は部下に対してとても厳しい。The head of department is very strict with his team.
質問に対する答えがまだ見つからない。I still have not found an answer to the question.
両親に対して感謝の気持ちを伝えたい。I want to tell my parents how grateful I am.
Worth knowing (1)
-
Being against something needs another word
English "against" is both a direction and an opinion, and learners who know に対して as "against" use it to say they oppose something. It only names the target. The opinion is 反対: 反対です on its own, or に反対する after the thing opposed.
その案には反対です。I am against that proposal.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "on this problem" or "regarding this problem" invites に対して, but talking is not aimed at the problem; it is about it. Verbs of speaking, writing, thinking and investigating take について. Keep に対して for a reaction or an attitude that has a target.
Talk about a subject with について; aim a feeling or a response at it with にたいして.
Your turn
9 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.