～にとって

• Reading: にとって
• Romaji: ni totte
• Formation: Noun + にとって + Evaluative Expression / Noun + にとっての + Noun

Meaning

Expresses a perspective or standpoint. It means 'for someone' or 'from the standpoint of someone.' Often followed by evaluative expressions.

This compound particle indicates from whose perspective a judgment, evaluation, or feeling is being expressed. It is often followed by adjectives or evaluative expressions such as 大切だ, 難しい, or 重要だ. にとって emphasizes the subjective viewpoint of the person or entity mentioned before it. Unlike に対して which indicates direction or opposition, にとって purely marks whose perspective is being considered. The form にとっての is used before nouns. Learners sometimes confuse にとって with に対して or について, but にとって specifically focuses on personal significance or relevance.

Examples

1. 外国人にとって敬語は難しい。 Honorific language is difficult for foreigners.
2. 子供にとって遊びは大切な学びの場だ。 For children, play is an important place of learning.
3. 私にとって家族が一番大事です。 For me, family is the most important thing.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

• 学生にとってこの経験は貴重だろう。
• 彼女にとって音楽は人生そのものだ。
• 私たちにとって健康が何より重要だ。

Don't Say

• 外国人に対して敬語は難しい。(Using に対して instead of にとって — に対して implies 'toward' not 'from someone's perspective') → 外国人にとって敬語は難しい。
• 私にとって毎日走ります。(Using にとって without an evaluative statement — にとって requires a judgment or assessment) → 私は毎日走ります。

Origin & History

Compound of に and とって (te-form of 取る, to take). Literally suggests taking something from a particular person's viewpoint.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal