How to tell them apart
に対して marks the target an action or attitude is directed at, or the item being contrasted (外国に対して閉鎖的な政策), whereas にとって marks whose perspective or evaluation a statement comes from (君にとって一番安全な場所). Swapping them is wrong because に対して implies an outward-facing action or comparison, while にとって only frames a judgment from someone's standpoint.
- に対して/対する Use に対して when an action, attitude, or contrast is directed at a target.
- にとって Use にとって when stating something from a particular person's or thing's perspective.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| に対して/対する ni shite suru | Directed toward, with respect to, in contrast | N3 |
| にとって nitotte | from the viewpoint of; for (someone or something) | N3 |
に対して/対する ni shite suru
Directed toward, with respect to, in contrast
に対して marks the person or thing that an action or feeling is directed toward, and 対する works the same way when modifying a noun directly, as in 対するいじめ. It attaches to nouns, and the は in に対しては simply adds topical emphasis.
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両親に対してはどんなに優しくしてもしすぎることはない。
You cannot be too good to your parents.
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彼女は自分に対するいじめのことでじっと考え込んでいた。
She brooded over the bullying done to her.
にとって nitotte
from the viewpoint of; for (someone or something)
にとって marks the person or thing from whose standpoint a judgment is made, meaning
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iPhoneはインターネットにとって死神なんだって。
Apparently "the iPhone sounds the death knell for the Internet."
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そんなの、身体にとっていいはずがないじゃありませんか。
That can't be good for your health, can it?
に対して/対する and にとって are both JLPT N3 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.