に対して
に対して is a phrase meaning “in contrast to” or “in regards to”.
It comes from 対する, a verb meaning “to face something” or “to oppose something”.
に対して is only valid with nouns, but you can nominalize other words to use them as well.
The manner of nominalization doesn’t matter for に対して, but it does for the meaning of the word.
- 静かなのに対して
In contrast to the silence - 静かさに対して
In contrast to the quietness - 食べるのに対して
With regards to eating - 食べることに対して
With regards to the thing of eating.
In regards to
In regards to…
Noun + に対して
Dictionary form verb+ のに対して
The most common and broadest meaning of に対して is “in regards to” or “In response to”.
に対して marks a word as the cause and target of some action.
に対して is similar in meaning to に; because of this is may be easier to think of it meaning “against” or “towards” or “at”.
Examples
- 問題に対して解決方法を探す
Search for a solution to a problem. (Problem is an opponent) - 次の質問に対して答えてください
Please answer (to) the next questions. (Question is an opponent) - 猫に対して優しい人だ
A person who is nice in regards to cats. (Cats are kind of an opponent) - 女に対しては優しいが、男に対しては厳しい
He’s nice in regards women, but strict towards men. - 彼女は私に対してとても怒っていた (Source)
She was very angry in regards to me. - 彼女は彼の不幸に対して同情した (Source)
She was sympathetic in regards to his unhappiness. - 勇敢な行為に対して兵士に勲章を授ける (Source)
In regards to their brave actions, the soldier received a medal. - 子供が泣くのに対しては弱い
Weak in regard to children crying.
に対する
に対して may modify nouns as に対する or に対しての
- 村人の彼に対する態度はきつい。 – The villagers attitude in regards to him was harsh.
- 問題に対する対策は失敗した – The response in regard to the problem failed.
- 彼女に対しての意見は様々だった – The opinions in regard to her were split.
Contrast
In contrast to
Noun + に対して
な Adjective + なのに対して
Dictionary form verb/い adjective + のに対して
に対して is used to express contrast.
It typically get translated as “In contrast to”, “as opposed to” or “despite”.
Examples
- 昼が暑いのに対して、夜は寒い。
In contrast to it being hot at noon, its very cold at night. - 綺麗なのに対して、危ない植物だ
Despite it being pretty, its a dangerous plant. - 家族は皆背が高いのに対して、僕は背が低い
Despite my family being tall, I’m short. - 僕は毎日勉強するのに対して、彼女は全然しない
As opposed to me studying everyday, she doesn’t study at all.
であるのに対して
Although rare, this meaning of に対して may use Noun + であるの
- 彼が大男であるのに対して、怖がり屋だ
Despite him being a big guy, he’s afraid of everything.