JLPT N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜について” and “に〜関して”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜について” and “〜に関かんして”
2. AについてB
3. Aに関かんしてB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “〜について” and “〜に関かんして”?

A: Both expressions indicate a topic or subject.
“〜について” and “〜に関かんして” are both used to show what an action, such as speaking, listening, thinking, writing, or researching, is about.

They can generally be used interchangeably, but “〜について” is a natural expression used in everyday situations, while “〜に関かんして” is a slightly more formal expression.
Also, “〜に関かんして” has a nuance of including things broadly related to that topic.

Let’s take a closer look.

AについてB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
To do B with A as the topic or subject

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun＋について
*When followed by a noun, it becomes “についてのN”

[Point]
・It can be used widely, from daily conversation to business situations.
・When you want to speak more politely, “につきまして” may also be used.

[Examples]
次つぎのプロジェクトの予算よさんについて話はなしましょう。
Let’s talk about the budget for the next project.

弟おとうとは世界せかいの歴史れきしについて調しらべています。
My younger brother is researching world history.

今日きょうの授業じゅぎょうの内容ないようについて質問しつもんはありますか。
Do you have any questions about today’s lesson?

お金かねについてのアンケートに答こたえました。
I answered a survey about money.

“〜について” is often used when directly bringing up a topic or theme.
It is widely used in both casual and business situations, and is also commonly used in everyday conversation.

[Examples]
次つぎのプロジェクトの予算よさんについて話はなしましょう。
Let’s talk about the budget for the next project.
⇒ This directly brings up the topic of “the budget.”

すみません、修理しゅうりについて質問しつもんがあるんですが。
Excuse me, I have a question about the repair.
⇒ The speaker is asking a question with “repair” as the topic, such as whether it can be repaired or how much it will cost.

両親りょうしんに会社かいしゃを辞やめるか続つづけるかについて相談そうだんをしました。
I consulted with my parents about whether to quit or continue at the company.
⇒ The speaker consulted with their parents about the topic of whether to quit or continue working at the company.

Aに関してB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
To do B with A as the topic or subject
To do B by bringing up things related to A

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun＋に関かんして
*When followed by a noun, it becomes “に関かんするN” or “に関かんしてのN”.

[Point]
・It has a more formal and stiff impression than “〜について”.
・It is often used in business documents, news, explanatory writing, and similar contexts.
・The “て” in “〜について” may be omitted, becoming “に関かんし”.
・When you want to speak more politely, “〜に関かんしまして” may also be used.

[Examples]
この問題もんだいに関かんして話はなしましょう。
Let’s talk about this issue.

製品せいひんに関かんしてのご質問しつもんは、こちらのメールにお問い合と　あわせください。
For questions regarding the product, please contact us at this email.

この映画えいがは、日本にほんの歴史れきしに関かんする調査ちょうさが十じゅう分ぶんではないようです。
This movie seems to lack thorough research on Japanese history.

料金りょうきんに関かんしましては、こちらの資料しりょうをご確認かくにんください。
Regarding the fees, please check this document.

“〜に関かんして” is a more formal and stiff expression.
It is often used in business, news, explanatory writing, written language, and similar contexts.
Also, the kanji “関” is the same kanji used in words such as “関係かんけいする” (to be related) and “関連かんれんする” (to be connected/associated).

For this reason, “〜に関かんして” has the nuance of bringing up not only one matter itself, but also things related to it.

[Examples]
この事件じけんに関かんしては、まだわかっていないことが多おおいです。
There are still many unknowns regarding this incident.
⇒ This includes various things related to the incident, such as the cause, the people involved, the background, and its future impact.

環境かんきょう問題もんだいに関かんする資料しりょうを集あつめています。

I am collecting materials related to environmental issues.
⇒ This gives the impression that the speaker is collecting a wide range of materials related to environmental issues.

Let’s Compare

“AについてB” and “Aに関かんしてB” both basically mean “to do B with A as the topic or subject.”
For this reason, they can often be used interchangeably.

[Examples]
この問題もんだいについて話はなしましょう。

Let’s talk about this problem.


この問題もんだいに関かんして話はなしましょう。
Let’s discuss this issue.

The meanings are almost the same.
However, the impression is slightly different.

① Difference in formality

“〜について” can be used in both daily conversation and business situations.
“〜に関かんして” is more formal and stiff than “〜について”.

[Examples]

友達ともだちと旅行りょこうについて話はなしました。

I talked with my friend about travel.

友達ともだちと旅行りょこうに関かんして話はなしました。

I talked with my friend regarding travel.

Neither sentence is incorrect, but when talking with a friend, “旅行りょこうについて話はなししました” sounds more natural.

② Difference in range

“〜について” is used when bringing up a topic relatively clearly and directly.
“〜に関かんして” may include a broader range of things related to that topic.

[Examples]
授業じゅぎょうの内容ないようについて質問しつもんがあります。

I have a question about the lesson content.
⇒ The speaker is asking a question about the lesson content itself.

授業じゅぎょうに関かんして質問しつもんがあります。

I have a question regarding the lesson.
⇒ This may include not only the lesson content, but also the time, homework, lesson flow, materials, and other related matters.

③ Ease of use in conversation

In daily conversation, “〜について” sounds more natural.

[Examples]
将来しょうらいについて考かんがえています。

I am thinking about my future.

この本ほんについてどう思おもいますか。

What do you think about this book?

日本にほん語ごの勉強べんきょうについて相談そうだんしたいです。

I would like to consult with you about studying Japanese.

“〜に関かんして” can also be used, but it sounds a little more formal.

Summary

[ＡについてＢ]

• “〜について” is an expression commonly used in everyday situations.
• It is used when directly bringing up a topic or theme.
• It is easy to use in both conversation and writing, and can be used widely, from casual situations to business situations.

[Aに関かんしてB]

• “〜に関かんして” is a more formal and stiff expression than 「〜について」.
• It is often used in business, news, explanatory writing, written language, and similar contexts.
• It also has the nuance of broadly bringing up things related to a certain matter.

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