にとって | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + にとって [noun] + にとっての + [noun]

Description

にとって goes after a noun, usually a person or a group, and means "for" or "to" in the sense of "from where they stand". What follows is how things look to them: important, hard, useful, a shock.

、。

For me, family matters most.

、。

Play is important for children.

、。

The news was a big shock to them.

Before a noun it becomes にとっての.

、。

For him, happiness is being with his family.

What can follow

The second half is an evaluation: an adjective or a noun that judges, such as たいせつ大切, むずかしい難しい, ひつよう必要, もんだい問題. A plain action or a fact about the person does not fit.

、。

English pronunciation is hard for Japanese speakers.

× 私にとって、東京に住んでいます → 私は東京に住んでいます

Nor does an opinion or a stance. For "as for me, I…", use としては, or just は.

、。

Speaking for myself, I'm in favor of the plan.

× 私にとって、その案に賛成です → 私としては、その案に賛成です

にとって or に対して

marks who an action or an attitude is aimed at. にとって marks whose point of view a judgement is made from.

。

He is kind to children.

。

This book is hard for children.

× 彼は子供にとって優しい → 彼は子供に対して優しい

Polite: にとりまして

In speeches and formal greetings, にとって becomes にとりまして. In ordinary polite conversation, にとって stays as it is.

、。

May this be a good year for you all.

Examples

、。

For me, studying Japanese is fun.

、。

For students, this exam was very difficult.

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For her, that is an unforgettable memory.

、。

For foreigners, using keigo is tough.

、。

For parents, their children's health is the most important thing.

、きごう？

What is work to you?

、。

This experience was very valuable to me.

、。

For a cat, this room might be too spacious.

、。

Success for him is not money but freedom.

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That news was a big shock for them.

、。

For beginners, this book is very easy to understand.

、。

For a company, human resources are the most important asset.

References

Standpoint として（は） vs にとって（は）imabi.org