Point of view

Conjugations, Stage 4chunk 5 of 6Grammar patterns

Say in what role, for whom, toward whom and about what.

• -to shiteas (a role); in the capacity of
• -ni tottefor; to (from someone's point of view)
• -ni taishitetoward; against; in contrast to
• -ni kanshiteabout; concerning; regarding
• -mukeaimed at; made for

Mix-ups ni totte (from X's view) vs no tame ni (for X's benefit); -muke vs -muki.

-to shite

〜として

as (a role); in the capacity of

Names the role, status or purpose: 'as a teacher', 'as a present'.

Make it noun + to shite

'watashi to shite wa' = speaking for myself. Not the -te form of -ou to suru (try to).

casualPlay

tomodachi to shite suki na dake da yo

I just like him as a friend.

友達として好きなだけだよ

politePlay

tomodachi to shite suki na dake desu

I only like him as a friend.

友達として好きなだけです

Rank #136 in 3,030 TV dramas

-ni totte

〜にとって

for; to (from someone's point of view)

Says who something matters to or how it looks to them, not who benefits.

Make it noun (person or group) + ni totte

For 'for your benefit' use no tame ni; for a gift just ni: 'kore, anata ni'.

casualPlay

watashi ni totte, kazoku ga ichiban daiji

For me, family matters most.

私にとって、家族が一番大事

politePlay

watashi ni totte, kazoku ga ichiban daiji desu

To me, family is the most important thing.

私にとって、家族が一番大事です

Rank #339 in 3,030 TV dramas

-ni taishite

〜に対して

toward; against; in contrast to

Marks who an attitude or action is aimed at: 'rude to customers', 'angry at him'.

Make it noun + ni taishite; before a noun: ni taisuru

Second use is contrast, 'whereas': 'ani ni taishite, otouto wa ...' (unlike his older brother, ...).

casualPlay

kare, okyakusan ni taishite taido warui yo ne

He's got a bad attitude toward customers, hasn't he?

彼、お客さんに対して態度悪いよね

politePlay

kare wa okyakusan ni taishite taido ga warui desu ne

He's quite rude to customers, isn't he?

彼はお客さんに対して態度が悪いですね

Rank #1232 in 3,030 TV dramas

-ni kanshite

〜に関して

about; concerning; regarding

The formal ni tsuite, for meetings, emails and announcements.

Make it noun + ni kanshite; before a noun: ni kansuru

In casual talk say ni tsuite instead. Before nouns: 'kankyou ni kansuru nyuusu' (news about the environment).

casualPlay

sono ken ni kanshite wa, ato de gorenraku shimasu

I'll get back to you about that later.

その件に関しては、後でご連絡します

Rank #1329 in 3,030 TV dramas

-muke

〜向け

aimed at; made for

Says who a product or service is designed for: 'for kids', 'for beginners'.

Make it noun + muke (no + noun); noun + muke ni

Don't mix with -muki, 'suited to': shoshinsha muki means it happens to suit beginners, muke that it was made for them.

casualPlay

kono anime, kodomo muke ja nai yo

This anime isn't for kids.

このアニメ、子供向けじゃないよ

politePlay

kono anime wa kodomo muke ja arimasen yo

This anime isn't meant for children.

このアニメは子供向けじゃありませんよ

Rank #4367 in 3,030 TV dramas