About, Concerning: Understanding について (ni tsuite)

Meaning & Usage

The grammar pattern について (ni tsuite) is a common and flexible Japanese expression, primarily translating to “about,” “concerning,” or “regarding.” It helps clearly introduce the topic of a discussion, thought, or action that follows. When you use について, you're indicating that the information coming next directly relates to the noun or noun phrase just before it.

You'll often hear or read について when people talk 話す (話はなす), think 考かんがえる (kangaeru), research 調しらべる (shiraberu), write 書かく (kaku), or ask 聞きく (kiku) about a certain topic. It helps make sure the listener or reader clearly understands what the communication is focusing on.

While similar to English prepositions like “about” or “concerning,” について often sounds a bit more formal or academic than casual alternatives like のこと (no koto). This is especially true when discussing specific or complex subjects. It suggests a direct and focused involvement with the topic. For example, if you're conducting an official inquiry, について would be the better choice. A good way to think about it is imagining a conceptual circle around the noun that comes before について; everything said afterward stays within that topic's boundaries. It's like saying, “in relation to this topic,” or “with regard to this matter,” setting a clear framework for the conversation or text that follows.

It's important to differentiate について from other related expressions. For instance, に関して (ni kanshite) also means “regarding” or “concerning,” but it can suggest a broader or more general scope, or a slightly more objective and analytical viewpoint. について, however, often implies a more personal or direct involvement with the topic, like when you're personally talking or thinking about it. のこと (no koto), conversely, is generally more casual and can mean “things about X,” covering a wider range of information rather than a focused discussion. Grasping these subtle differences is crucial for using について correctly in various situations.

Structure & Formation

The most common and basic structure for について is simple: it directly attaches to a noun:

Noun + について

This pattern shows that the noun is the main subject of a discussion, thought, or action. Here are a few basic examples:

• 仕事しごとについて (仕事しごと ni tsuite) — About work
• 将来しょうらいについて (将来しょうらい ni tsuite) — About the future
• 旅行りょこうについて (旅行りょこう ni tsuite) — About a trip

について can also combine with the possessive particle の (no) to create an adjectival phrase that modifies the next noun:

Noun + について + の + Noun

Here, についての acts like an adjective, describing the following noun as "a noun concerning/about the preceding noun."

• 日本にほんについての本ほん (日本にほん ni tsuite no hon) — A book about Japan
• 環境問題かんきょうもんだいについての議論ぎろん (環境問題かんきょうもんだい ni tsuite no giron) — A discussion concerning environmental issues

While less common directly, について can also appear with question words, typically when inquiring about a topic. The most frequent instance is with 何なに (nani):

何なに + について

• 何なにについて話はなしているのですか？ (何なに ni tsuite hanashite iru no desu ka?) — What are you talking about?

It's vital to remember that について always follows a noun or a phrase that acts like a noun (a nominalized phrase). It cannot directly follow a verb in its dictionary form or an i-adjective. If you want to use について with verbs or adjectives, you first need to turn them into nouns using こと (koto) or another nominalizer.

• Verb (dictionary form) + こと + について
• い-Adjective + こと + について
• な-Adjective + なこと + について

For example, to say "about exercising," you would use 運動うんどうすることことについて (undō suru koto ni tsuite), not 運動うんどうするについて (undō suru ni tsuite).

Example Sentences

General Usage

As an Adjectival Phrase (～についての)

With Verbs related to Inquiry/Discussion

Using with 「こと」to nominalize verbs/adjectives

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using 「が」or「は」instead of 「について」 for topics

While particles like 「が」 and 「は」 are crucial for marking subjects and topics, they don't explicitly mean “about” or “concerning” a topic in the same way について does. Using them incorrectly when you want to specify what you're discussing can result in awkward or unclear sentences. について clearly defines the topic of conversation or action, a role that 「が」 or 「は」 alone can't fill when you mean "about."

❌ 私わたしは日本にほんの歴史れきしが本ほんを読よみました。

✅ 私わたしは日本にほんの歴史れきしについての本ほんを読よみました。

The incorrect sentence might suggest "Japanese history is the book I read" or treats history as the direct object of reading, which sounds unnatural. The correct sentence clearly states, "I read a book about Japanese history," using についての to modify "book" correctly.

Mistake 2: Directly attaching to verbs or i-adjectives

A common mistake learners make is trying to attach について directly to verbs in their plain form or to i-adjectives. Always remember that について must follow a noun or a phrase that functions as a noun. To say "about doing something" or "about being in a certain state (described by an i-adjective)," you need to turn the verb or adjective into a noun first using 「こと (koto)」.

❌ 歌うたうについて話はなしました。

✅ 歌うたうことについて話はなしました。

The incorrect sentence is grammatically wrong because 歌う (utau - to sing) is a verb. The correct sentence uses 歌うこと (utau koto - the act of singing) as a nominalized phrase, which then allows について to attach correctly, meaning "I talked about the act of singing."

Mistake 3: Confusing 「について」with 「に」or「へ」for direction or recipient

While 「に (ni)」 and 「へ (e)」 are particles indicating direction, target, or recipient, they aren't interchangeable with について when you intend to specify the topic of discussion. について specifically identifies the subject matter that something is about, not just a destination or a person to whom something is directed. Misusing these particles can lead to misunderstandings or ungrammatical sentences.

❌ 友達ともだちに私わたしの夢ゆめに話はなしました。

✅ 友達ともだちに私わたしの夢ゆめについて話はなしました。

The incorrect sentence uses 「に」twice, making it sound like "I talked to my friend to my dream," which doesn't make sense. The correct sentence uses the first 「に」 for the recipient (the friend) and について for the topic (my dream), clearly conveying "I talked to my friend about my dream."

Mistake 4: Overlooking the nuance with 「に関して」

While について and に関して (ni kanshite) both mean “about” or “concerning,” they have subtle differences in nuance. Overlooking these can make your Japanese sound unnatural. について generally implies a more direct and personal engagement with a topic, commonly used in daily conversations or when expressing personal thoughts. In contrast, に関して is typically more formal and objective, often appearing in official documents, academic papers, or news reports where a detached, comprehensive overview is needed.

❌ 私わたしは趣味しゅみに関して友達ともだちと話はなしました。

✅ 私わたしは趣味しゅみについて友達ともだちと話はなしました。

The incorrect sentence uses the more formal に関して when discussing hobbies with a friend, which sounds stiff and overly formal for a casual topic. The correct sentence uses について, which is much more natural for talking about personal interests with friends.

Cultural Notes

In Japanese culture, clearly communicating a topic is highly valued. について plays a crucial role in achieving this clarity, especially across various social and professional settings. In formal environments like business meetings, academic seminars, or official announcements, using ～について precisely defines the subject matter. This ensures all participants are fully aware of the discussion's scope. It reflects a broader cultural emphasis on establishing mutual understanding before delving into details, which helps prevent misunderstandings and facilitates smoother interactions.

Beyond formal contexts, について is also widely used in everyday conversations, showcasing its versatility. For instance, when friends are coordinating plans or discussing an issue, it's common to hear phrases like 「今日きょうの予定よていについて、どうする？」 (今日きょう no 予定よてい ni tsuite, dō suru?) – "What about today's plans?" This indirect question effectively asks for input or opinions regarding the topic of "today's plans."

Furthermore, when initiating a presentation, report, or explanation, Japanese speakers often politely introduce their topic. They use expressions like ～についてご説明いたします (ni tsuite go setsumei itashimasu) – "I will explain about ~," or ～について発表します (ni tsuite happyō shimasu) – "I will present about ~." These phrases highlight the inherent politeness and meticulousness in Japanese communication, where clearly defining the discussion's parameters signals respect and consideration for the audience.

JLPT Tips

For the JLPT N3 examination, mastering について is essential. It's a high-frequency grammar point that appears in various sections, including reading comprehension and listening tasks. When you encounter this pattern, always pay close attention to the noun or noun phrase immediately preceding について. This will unequivocally be the central topic of the discussion, explanation, or inquiry. Recognizing the structure "AについてBがCする" (B does C about A) will significantly aid your comprehension.

A critical skill for N3 is the ability to differentiate について from other similar expressions that convey "about" or "concerning," such as に関して (ni kanshite) and のこと (no koto). While their core meanings overlap, their nuances and appropriate usage contexts vary significantly. Remember that について often implies a more direct and personal engagement with the topic—for example, when someone is actively talking, thinking, or writing about it. In contrast, に関して typically leans towards more formal or academic contexts, often referring to official statements, reports, or broader, more objective investigations. のこと is generally more casual and refers to "things related to" a topic rather than a focused, in-depth discussion.

In the grammar section of the JLPT, you might face questions requiring you to select the correct particle or particle combination to complete a sentence. Always recall that について must attach to a noun or a nominalized phrase. Therefore, if the word immediately preceding the blank is a plain form verb or an i-adjective, について will likely not be the correct choice unless こと (koto) is used to nominalize that verb or adjective. Furthermore, be vigilant for the adjectival form についての, which is frequently used in written materials like newspaper articles and formal essays to modify a subsequent noun, signaling its relevance to the preceding topic. Understanding these distinctions will greatly enhance your accuracy on the exam.