Practice JLPTHow 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 | Toward / in regard to / whereas | N3 |
| にとって nitotte | For/To (perspective) | N3 |
に対して/対する ni shite suru
Toward / in regard to / whereas
Toward; to; in contrast to; whereas; in regard to; in; per | Regarding something/someone one opposes, compares, or shows interest in regarding something/someone one opposes, compares or shows interest in.
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これまで日本は外国に対して閉鎖的な政策を取ってきた。
Up until now Japan has taken a closed policy toward foreign countries.
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その経済学者の説に{対する・対して}反論はなかった。
There wasn't a counterargument against the economist's thesis.
にとって nitotte
For/To (perspective)
To; for | From the standpoint of; so far as someone (or something) is concerned.
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ここは君にとって一番安全な場所だ。
This is the safest place for you.
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この大学で教えられることは私にとって極めて 名誉なことです。
Being able to teach at this university is a big honour for me.
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 — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.