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, thing, or topic that a feeling, action, or situation is directed toward, such as kindness, anger, or responsibility. It can also show contrast between two different attitudes or conditions. It follows a noun, as in 私に対して or 親に対して, with に対し as a slightly formal variant and に対する placed before a noun, as in 私に対する態度. It is common in polite and written Japanese, so avoid using it for physical direction where に is enough.
-
彼は私に対して非常に親切だ。
He is very friendly toward me.
-
彼は君に対して怒っている。
He is angry with you.
にとって nitotte
from the viewpoint of; for (someone or something)
にとって marks the person, group or thing whose viewpoint an evaluation is made from, meaning for or from the perspective of that noun. It is used with adjectives or statements of value, difficulty, importance or benefit, as in 私にとって or 彼にとって. It attaches directly to a noun, including pronouns and names for people, groups or organizations. It is neutral in register and fits both speech and writing.
-
私にとって、特別な日でした。
It was a special day for me.
-
彼は私にとって理想の夫です。
He is an ideal husband 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 on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.