I am studying for JLPT N2 with a teacher and we came across a question that has “に対して” as an answer and she started to explain that there is two uses for this grammar point :
* To compare (with X and Y being the same time of thing, for exemple two persons)
* “for people” is all I wrote on my notes because I really didn’t get it at all. My old N3 book explains it as “動作の向かう対象や相手を示す” (“Used to indicate the target or subject of an action”, as translated in the same book)
Can anyone explain me ? I tried to look online and in the sub but it was always explainations for the first use only.
5 comments
I have trouble with this one as well. Here’s an example I’ve burned into my brain, though.
お客さんに対して、敬語を使います
We use keigo when dealing with customers
Toward, against, regarding, in contrast with.
敵に対して寛大だ。
彼は友人に対して寛大だ。
For some reason ３対１で負けた helps me remember.
Please don’t overthink it. I have no idea how I passed N2. If I can do it anyone can.
I working up the energy to tackle N1.
Take care.
the second usage is more a toward like, “he is gentle toward women”
Second use:
[Tobira, Ch10](https://i.imgur.com/FUndD5C.jpg)
[Examples ](https://i.imgur.com/bPrvCPo.jpg)
From how I understand it, it’s actually one grammar point, but the nuance differs a little bit.
You can say Xに対してY when something Y is done towards, for X. It can be neutral.
However, it can also mean “against” or in opposition to something. Then the meaning is kind of negative towards X.
Both usages depend on context so if you have a grasp of the context, you’ll get it.