423 - に関して

JLPT N2: ~に関して(にかんして

~に関して means something like "regarding," "in regards to," or "about."

You might recognize the kanji from the word 関係 (かんけい) or “relation,” which could help you remember the meaning.

~に関して means “in regards to,” or “in relation to,” and it is used when talking about a topic that is subject to an action. If you have seen this grammar point before, you will realize that it is used almost exactly the same way as ~について which means “about.”

Technically, you can also translate ~に関して to “about” as well, but the major difference between the two is that ~に関して is more formal. So in this case “in regards to” or “in relation to” is a much better fit.

Here is how it is used:

NOUN + に関して

質問(しつもん // question
質問に関してしつもんにかんして // in regards to the question

Simple right?


Here are some example sentences:

彼女はアフリカやヨーロッパの歴史に関してかなり詳しい。
かのじょ は アフリカ や ヨーロッパ の れきし にかんして かなり くわしい。
She is very knowledgeable about African and European history.
Literally: “she + は + Africa + や + Europe + の + history + regarding + fairly + knows well.”

卒業後の進路に関してはまだ考えていません。
そつぎょう ご の しんろ にかんして は まだ かんがえていません。
I still haven't thought about my plans for after graduation.
Literally: “graduation + after + の + path + regarding + は + yet + haven’t thought.”

石田先生が貸してくれたマヤ文明に関しての資料は、レポートを書くのにとても役に立った。
いしだ せんせい が かして くれた マヤぶんめい にかんして の しりょう は、 レポート を かく のに とても やくにたった。
The materials that Ishida-sensei lent me regarding the Maya civilization were very helpful for writing my report.
Literally: “Ishida + sensei + が + lend (and) + gave (me) + Maya civilization + regarding + の + materials + は, + report + を + write + のに (=in order to) + very + were helpful/useful.”

When に関して is followed by a noun it either needs a の after it, like in the above sentence, or it can be changed to に関する like in the sentence below. There is no difference at all to the meaning; it is just a different construction.

試験の合否に関するお問い合わせには、一切お答えできません。
しけん の ごうひ にかんする おといあわせ には、 いっさい おこたえ できません。
We are unable to answer any inquiries regarding the results of the test.
Literally: “test + の + results (=passing or failing) + regarding + inquiry + には, + (not) at all + answer + cannot do.”

Now it's your turn! Can you think of a few sentences using に関して? Try to think of a noun and then give us more information regarding that noun.

Remember, this is not something you would use in very casual speech, so keep your sentences a bit formal.


This lesson was written by Cassy L., a guest contributor:


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