JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜に関して” and “〜をめぐって”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜に関かんして” and “〜をめぐって”
2. 〜に関かんして
3. 〜をめぐって
4. 「〜に関かんして」VS「〜をめぐって」
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜に関かんして” and “〜をめぐって”?

A: Both are relatively formal expressions similar to “〜について”, which means “about” or “regarding”.
The main difference lies in the subjects they address.

〜に関かんして (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
Do B about A

[Rule]　
[N] Noun＋に関かんして

[Commonly used with]
話はなす(talk)・聞きく(listen)・考かんがえる(think)・書かく(write)・調しらべる(investigate)・知しる(know)　etc.

[Examples]
犯人はんにんはそのときの出来事できごとに関かんして、何なにも話はなしません。
The criminal doesn’t talk about what happened at that time.

あの大学だいがくの教授きょうじゅは歴史れきしに関かんしてよく知しっています。
The professor at that university knows a lot about history.

警察けいさつはこのあいだの事件じけんに関かんして、色々いろいろな人ひとを調しらべています。
The police are investigating various people regarding the recent incident.

• In some cases, it can be replaced with “〜について.”
• The “て” in “〜に関かんして” can be omitted, resulting in the form “〜に関かんし.”
• In more formal situations, you can use “〜に関かんしまして.”

〜をめぐって (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Multiple people do B regarding A

[Rule]
[N] Noun＋をめぐって

[Commonly used with]
議論ぎろんする(to debate)・争あらそう(to argue)・対立たいりつする(to conflict)・裁判さいばんする(to litigate)　etc.

[Examples]　
マンションの建設けんせつをめぐって、住民じゅうみんと建設けんせつ会社がいしゃが対立たいりつをしています。
The residents and the construction company are in conflict over the construction of the apartment building.

今日きょうの会議かいぎでは来年らいねんの予算よさんをめぐって議論ぎろんをしました。
In today’s meeting, we discussed next year’s budget.

会社かいしゃの権利けんりをめぐって争あらそっています。
They are disputing over the company’s rights.

• It can also be written as “〜をめぐり.”

〜に関かんして VS 〜をめぐって

Now, let’s explain the main difference in subjects between these two expressions.

“〜に関かんして” simply indicates the subject, while “〜をめぐって” involves conflicting matters.
Therefore, the appropriate verbs must be used accordingly.

Additionally, since “conflict” implies the involvement of multiple people, “〜をめぐって” cannot be used when referring to a single person. On the other hand, “〜に関かんして” can make sense even if only one person is involved.

[Examples]
次つぎの会議かいぎでは予算よさんに関かんして話はなすつもりです。
In the next meeting, we plan to talk about the budget.
⇒ I will bring up the matter of the budget and discuss it.

A社しゃと予算よさんをめぐって対立たいりつしています。
We are in conflict with Company A over the budget.
⇒ My company and Company A have conflicting opinions about the budget.

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[〜に関かんして]

This word is often used in business or formal situations and is typically associated with serious matters.

[Examples]
〇 今いま、この事件じけんに関かんして調しらべています。
We are currently investigating this incident.

〇 次つぎの会議かいぎに関かんして質問しつもんをしてもよろしいでしょうか。
May I ask a question regarding the next meeting?

Using it in casual situations can sound unnatural, so be cautious.

× 宿題しゅくだいに関かんして質問しつもんしてもいい？　
〇 宿題しゅくだいについて質問しつもんしてもいい？
Can I ask a question about the homework?

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[〜をめぐって]

This word is also used in business or formal situations.
Unlike “〜に関かんして,” it is used when the content of the discussion is serious and involves conflict or dispute with a third party.

[Examples]
〇 この裁判さいばんでは消きえたお金かねをめぐって争あらそっています。　
In this trial, they are disputing over the missing money.

〇 親戚しんせきは土地とちの権利けんりをめぐって対立たいりつしています。
The relatives are in conflict over the land rights.

Using it in casual situations can also sound unnatural.

× 姉あねは明日あすのデートをめぐって彼かれとけんかしているようです。
〇 姉あねは明日あすのデートについて彼かれとけんかしているようです。
My sister seems to be fighting with her boyfriend about their date tomorrow.

Summary

Both are used in business or formal situations.

〜に関かんして

• It simply indicates the subject, and the matter in question is serious.
• It can be used even if there is only one relevant person.

〜をめぐって

• The subject matter is serious and involves conflict or dispute with a third party.
• There must be multiple relevant people, and it cannot be used when there is only one person involved.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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