にあたり / にあたって

The grammar pattern にあたって (or its more formal variant にあたり) is used to express "on the occasion of," "when," or "at the time of." It marks an important event, occasion, or turning point, and introduces an action, decision, or statement that is made in connection with that occasion.

This pattern carries a formal and significant tone, so it is used for noteworthy events – not everyday actions. You would use it for things like starting a new job, launching a project, giving a speech, or undertaking something important.

Basic usage

にあたって attaches to nouns or the plain (dictionary) form of verbs:

にあたり vs. にあたって

Both forms are largely interchangeable. にあたり tends to appear more often in written or highly formal speech (e.g., official documents, speeches), while にあたって is slightly more common in general formal contexts. In practice, the difference is minimal.

Important nuances

• The occasion marked by にあたって should be something significant or special – it is unnatural to use it for routine or trivial events. For example, you would not say ごはんご飯をたべる食べるにあたって ("on the occasion of eating a meal") in normal contexts.
• It is often followed by expressions of preparation, resolution, gratitude, or request – things you do because the occasion is important.
• Compare with に際して (にさいして際して), which is very similar in meaning and formality. にあたって tends to emphasize one's attitude or preparation toward the event, while に際して focuses more on the timing of the event. In many cases, however, they are interchangeable.