JLPT N3 Grammar – The two uses of “〜において”

Table of Contents

1. The two uses of “〜において”
2. The Basics of “〜において”
3. ① Place / Situation
4. ② Field / Area
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment

Q: How do you use “〜において”?

A: “〜において” is used together with nouns that indicate places, situations, contexts, or fields, and it has almost the same meaning as “〜で” or “〜に.”
However, it is a more formal and polite expression, typically used in official documents or formal situations.

The Basics of “〜において”

[Meaning]
Used to indicate a place, field, or situation, and has the same meaning as “〜で” or “〜に”

[Rule]
[N] Noun + において

[Examples]
成人せいじん式しきは市民しみん会館かいかんにおいて行おこなわれます。
The coming-of-age ceremony is held at the civic hall.

新あらたな教育きょういくにおいては、ICTの活用かつようが進すすめられています。
In the field of new education, the use of ICT is being promoted.

医学いがく界かいにおいては、この最新さいしんの医療いりょうが多おおくの難病なんびょうを救すくえるでしょう。
In the medical world, this latest treatment will likely save many people with serious illnesses.

① Place / Situation

The first usage of “において” is with words that indicate places, scenes, or situations, and it has nearly the same meaning as “(at / in a place)” or “(in / within a situation).”
While “で” can be used in both spoken and written language, “において” is generally used in formal or official contexts, and has a more polite and written tone.

[Common abstract words used with “において”]
生活せいかつ (life), 価値かち観かん (values), 人生じんせい (way of life), etc.

[Examples] (Visible places or scenes)
2020年ねんのオリンピックは東京とうきょうにおいて開催かいさいされました。
The 2020 Olympic Games were held in Tokyo.
⇒ It has the same meaning as “東京とうきょうでオリンピックが行おこなわれた.”

会議かいぎにおいての発言はつげんは、すべて記録きろくされています。
All remarks made during the meeting are recorded.

この建物たてもの内ないにおいての喫煙きつえんは禁止きんしされています。
Smoking inside this building is prohibited.

[Examples] (Abstract situations or contexts)
価値かち観かんにおいて、人ひとそれぞれ違ちがいがあるのは当然とうぜんです。
In terms of values, it is natural that each person is different.
⇒ It means “価値かち観かんの中なかには、人ひとによって違ちがいがある” (There are differences among people within their values.)

この本ほんを読よんで、人生じんせいにおいて大切たいせつなものを考かんがえさせられました。
Reading this book made me think about what is important in life.

日常にちじょう生活せいかつにおいて、健康けんこうは最もっとも重要じゅうようなものです。
In everyday life, health is the most important thing.

② Field / Area

The second usage of “〜において” is with words that indicate fields or areas, and it has almost the same meaning as “(in a field / area).”
As with the first usage, it is often used in formal or official contexts.

[Examples]
教育きょういくにおいて、デジタルツールの導入どうにゅうは学習がくしゅう環境かんきょうを大おおきく変かえました。
In education, the introduction of digital tools has greatly changed the learning environment.
⇒ This expresses the results achieved through the introduction of digital tools in the field of education.

環境かんきょう問題もんだいの解決かいけつにおいて、国際こくさい的てきな協力きょうりょくが必要ひつようとされています。
In solving environmental issues, international cooperation is required.

芸術げいじゅつにおいては、自由じゆうで柔軟じゅうなんな発想はっそうが大切たいせつです。
In the arts, free and flexible thinking is important.

In addition, when you want to say “in any situation or under any circumstances” without limiting the field or context, you can use “何なににおいても” or “何事なにごとにおいても.”
In this case, “も” is added after “〜において.”
This expression is commonly used not only in written language but also in spoken language.

[Examples]（何なににおいても）
彼かれは何なににおいても手てを抜ぬかない人ひとです。
He is someone who never cuts corners in anything.

何なににおいても、安全あんぜんを第だい一いちに考かんがえなければなりません。
In everything, safety must be the top priority.

マリアさんは何なににおいても前向まえむきです。
Maria is positive in everything she does.

[Examples]（何事なにごとにおいても）
何事なにごとにおいても準備じゅんびが大切たいせつです。
Preparation is important in everything.

彼かれは何事なにごとにおいても冷静れいせいに判断はんだんします。
He makes calm decisions in every situation.

何事なにごとにおいても努力どりょくを惜おしまない人ひとは、成功せいこうに近ちかづけるはずです。
A person who never spares effort in anything is sure to get closer to success.

Summary

“〜における” has almost the same meaning as “(in / at / during a place or situation),” but it is mainly used in formal contexts or official written language.

• ① It is used with words that indicate places, scenes, or situations, and has nearly the same meaning as “(at / in a place)” or “(in / within a situation).” The accompanying words can refer not only to visible places but also to abstract concepts.
• ② It is also used with words that express fields or areas, meaning “(in a field / area).”
• When you want to express “in any situation or under any circumstances” without limiting the field or context, you can use the expressions “何なににおいても” or “何事なにごとにおいても.”
These expressions are commonly used not only in written language but also in spoken language.

Similer Articles

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