Grammar
N3 particle

For / to 〜にとって

Meaning

Gives the standpoint a judgement is made from — "for ~", "from ~'s point of view".

Formation

Notes

Followed by an evaluation — 大切, 難しい, 必要 — not by an action: ○私にとって大切な人 but ×私にとって勉強します. Distinct from に対して, which marks a target rather than a viewpoint.

Examples

For me, family matters most.

Breakdown
family for me most important

For foreigners, kanji are difficult.

Breakdown
foreigners for difficult

This experience was a good lesson for me.

Breakdown
this experience for me a good lesson

For children, play is a necessity.

Breakdown
for children play a necessity

What does happiness mean to him? (にとっての before a noun)

Breakdown
for him (modifying) happiness

⚠️ Often confused with

Toward / in contrast to 〜に対して

Two jobs: the target an attitude is directed at — "toward ~" — and a contrast — "whereas ~...

About / concerning 〜について

Names the subject matter — "about ~", "concerning ~".

In / at 〜において

The formal written equivalent of で — "in ~", "at ~", "in the field of ~".

As / in the role of 〜として

Names a capacity or role — "as ~", "in the capacity of ~".

Suited for 〜向き / 〜向け

向き = "suited to ~ (by nature)". 向け = "made for ~ (on purpose)".

Over / concerning 〜をめぐって

"Over ~", "concerning ~" — the point people are arguing about.

When it comes to 〜にかけては

"When it comes to ~ (nobody beats them)".

Spanning 〜にわたって

"Over / across ~" — a stretch of time, space or number.

Through / throughout 〜を通じて / 〜を通して

"Through ~" (a medium); "throughout ~" (a whole span).

Centring on 〜を中心に(して)

"Centring on ~", "with ~ at the core".

From the standpoint of 〜から見ると / 〜からすると

"Seen from ~", "judging from ~".