Structure
Verb［る］+ にあたり(1)
Noun + にあたり(1)
(1) にあたって
Details
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Formal
About にあたり・にあたって
に当たり or に当たって is a formal grammar pattern in Japanese used to convey the meaning of 'at the time of (A)', 'when doing (A)', or 'on the occasion of (A)'. Like に際して 'on the occasion of (A)', it will often be used in regard to preparation for future events. This structure is a combination of に, and the う-Verb 当たる 'to hit', or 'to come into contact' in either its formal-conjunctive form or て-form.
に当たり will appear following verbs in their dictionary form, or nouns. There are two primary nuances that this structure will be used for, so let's look at a few examples of each.
The first is when (A) is some sort of special occasion or condition from which (B) will be done.
The second is when (A) is some sort of goal or target for which (B) will be the means or measures in response to that goal.
Caution
Unlike に際して, which can be used for either positive or negative situations, に当たり will primarily only be used for positive or neutral situations.
- 母の葬式に際して必要な書類を準備した。I gathered all the necessary documents at the time of my mother's funeral. (Natural Japanese)
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母の葬式に当たって必要な書類を準備した。I gathered all the necessary documents at the time of my mother's funeral. (Unnatural Japanese)
Synonyms
Examples
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レーザーの試験に当たり、必ず保護メガネを着用してください。
Be sure to wear safety glasses when testing the laser. (on the occasion of)
綱渡りをするに当たり、命綱をつけてもらった。
When I did a tightrope walk, I had a safety wire connected. (at the time of)
彫刻を彫るに当たり、彫刻刀を買い換えた。
On the occasion of carving a sculpture, I bought a new chisel.
課長の退職に当たって、お別れの一言を述べさせていただきます。
Let me say a few words of farewell on the occasion of the section manager's retirement.
パスポートの申請に当たり、顔写真を必ず持ってきてください。
Be sure to bring headshots at the time of passport application.
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にあたり・にあたって – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
Clornhole
Can someone explain to me how に can be used here?
nekoyama
In most cases it’ll be nouns or verb forms that grammatically act like nouns, and these cases where it’s something else primarily occur in specific patterns. The other particles you’re thinking of probably also have their own patterns where any absolute rules you learned don’t apply. (In general, be careful when anything uses the words “only”, “always”, or “never”… absolutes are rare in language.)
Clornhole
I assumed that the answer was this, but thanks for helping confirm. I asked because, from what I had seen generally in the earlier stages of learning Japanese, particles seemed especially rigid in usage. I’ll have to learn to be more flexible with them.
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