The Difference Between について (ni tsuite) vs に対して (ni taishite)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

Joy studying a topic [Ni tsuite] vs. Joy acting towards a person [Ni taishite]

“I study about Japan.” vs “I am kind to customers.”
In Japanese, “About” and “Towards” are different grammar points: 〜について (Ni tsuite) and 〜に対して (Ni taishite). Let’s learn how to use them correctly!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is practicing for a job interview.

Joy

面接（めんせつ）の練習（れんしゅう）です！
「私（わたし）は、お客（きゃく）さんについて親切（しんせつ）にします！」
(Interview practice! “I will be kind ‘about’ the customers!”)

Ken

ストップ！Joyさん、「について」はお客さんの噂（うわさ）をするみたいですよ。
相手（あいて）に向（む）かうときはお客さんに対してを使（つか）いましょう。
(Stop! “Ni tsuite” sounds like you are gossiping about them. When directing action TOWARDS someone, use “Ni taishite”.)

💡 Explanation

Both attach to Nouns, but the “Focus” is different.

Point 1: Ni tsuite (〜について) = About / Topic

This introduces the Content or Topic. You talk, think, or write “about” something.

日本（にほん）の文化（ぶんか）について勉強（べんきょう）します。
(I study about Japanese culture.)
そのニュースについて話（はな）しましょう。
(Let’s talk about that news.)

Point 2: Ni taishite (〜に対して) = Towards / Target

This marks the Target of an attitude or action. Who are you being kind to? Who are you complaining to?

店員（てんいん）さんに対して丁寧（ていねい）に話（はな）します。
(I speak politely towards the staff.)
彼（かれ）は、誰（だれ）に対しても優（やさ）しいです。
(He is kind towards everyone.)

📊 Comparison / Common Mistake

Expression	Meaning	Function
〜について (Ni tsuite)	About / Regarding	Topic / Content
〜に対して (Ni taishite)	Towards / To	Target / Direction

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

❌ Wrong: 先生（せんせい）について 質問（しつもん）します。
(This implies: “I will ask questions ABOUT the teacher” (personal life, etc.).)

✅ Right: 先生（せんせい）に対して 質問（しつもん）します。
(I will ask a question TO the teacher.)

✅ Right: 日本語（にほんご）について 質問（しつもん）します。
(I will ask a question ABOUT Japanese.)

🔥 Practice Quiz

Tap to check the answer!

Q1. Please teach me about this town.
(Kono machi ______ oshiete kudasai.)

Answer: ni tsuite (について)
The town is the TOPIC of the conversation.

Q2. He is very strict towards his students.
(Kare wa gakusei ______ totemo kibishii desu.)

Answer: ni taishite (に対して)
The students are the TARGET of his strictness.

Q3. I wrote a report about the traffic accident.
(Koutsuu-jiko ______ repooto o kakimashita.)

Answer: ni tsuite (について)
The accident is the CONTENT of the report.

Keep practicing with JPLT!