JLPT Grammar Pair Confusion: ~ni yotte vs. ~ni totte and ~ni kanshite vs. ~ni tsuite
Introduction to JLPT Grammar Pairs
When preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at the N3, N2, or N1 levels, candidates often lose points not from a lack of vocabulary, but from confusing grammatically similar particles and phrasing. Multiple-choice questions on the exam are explicitly designed around these near-synonyms. Since the JLPT runs once a year in Nepal every December, or as you aim for higher levels after your student visa or Specified Skilled Worker preparations, mastering these distinctions is vital. This guide examines two common trouble spots: 「によって」 versus 「にとって」 and 「に関して」 versus 「について」.
Pair 1: によって vs. にとって
Both expressions use the particle 「に」 combined with a verb form, which causes learners to treat them interchangeably. However, their core functions in a sentence are entirely different. Note that because Nepali is SOV and uses postpositions like Japanese particles, understanding how these attach to nouns will feel very natural.
によって (By means of, due to, depending on)
「によって」 indicates cause, means, agency in a passive sentence, or variation according to circumstances. It connects a noun to a result, a method, or a varying outcome.
- Cause: 台風によって、木が倒れた。（The trees fell due to the typhoon.）
- Means: インターネットによって、世界中の情報が手に入る。（Information from around the world is accessible by means of the internet.）
- Agency: この本は有名な作家によって書かれた。（This book was written by a famous author.）
- Variation: 週末の予定は天気によって変わる。（Weekend plans change depending on the weather.）
にとって (From the standpoint of, for)
「にとって」 evaluates something from a specific person or group's perspective. It establishes a value judgment, stating what holds importance, difficulty, or meaning to that subject.
- Value/Perspective: 私にとって、漢字の勉強は一番大切だ。（For me, studying kanji is the most important thing.）
- Evaluation: 彼らにとって、その仕事は簡単ではなかった。（For them, that work was not easy.）
The rule to separate them: If you can substitute the English phrase "due to," "by," or "depending on," use 「によって」. If you can substitute "for [someone]" or "from the perspective of [someone]," use 「にとって」.
Pair 2: に関して vs. について
Both patterns translate roughly to "about" or "regarding" in English, and both attach to nouns to introduce a topic. The distinction lies in their level of formality and the scope of the noun they modify.
について (About, concerning)
「について」 is the standard, versatile way to state that an action or thought concerns a specific subject. It is common in daily conversation, business emails, and general reading passages.
- Example: 日本の経済について本を読んだ。（I read a book about the Japanese economy.）
に関して (Regarding, with respect to)
「に関して」 is more formal than 「について」. It is heavily favored in business reports, academic writing, and N1/N2 reading passages. Furthermore, 「に関して」 is almost always followed by a noun when modifying directly (e.g., 「〜に関する問題」), whereas 「について」 does not modify nouns in this exact adnominal position.
- Example: その事件に関して、新しい情報が入った。（New information has arrived regarding that incident.）
The rule to separate them: 「について」 is general and conversational-to-neutral. 「に関して」 is formal, academic, and frequently appears as 「に関する[Noun]」.
Study Routine for This Week
To lock in these distinctions before your exam, execute this simple three-step routine over the next seven days:
- Take a practice text from an N2 or N1 reading section and highlight every instance of 「によって」, 「にとって」, 「について」, and 「に関して」.
- Write down the noun immediately preceding the particle and the verb or adjective immediately following it.
- Apply the substitution test: write "due to/for" or "about/regarding" above each particle to prove its function within the specific context.