toward; in contrast to; per

に対して marks the target or direction of an action or attitude (toward someone/something). It also sets up a contrast between two items, and after a number it means "per". Attach it to a noun; the noun-modifying form is に対する.

Examples

• 先生せんせいに対たいして、失礼しつれいな態度たいどを取とってはいけない。

  Sensei ni taishite, shitsurei na taido o totte wa ikenai.

  You shouldn't take a rude attitude toward your teacher.

• 兄あにが社交的しゃこうてきなのに対たいして、弟おとうとは内気うちきだ。

  Ani ga shakouteki na no ni taishite, otouto wa uchiki da.

  In contrast to my outgoing older brother, my younger brother is shy.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 先生 teacher
• 失礼 rudeness, excusing oneself
• 態度 attitude
• 取る to take; to pick up
• 兄 older brother (one's own)
• 弟 younger brother

Related patterns · Relation and viewpoint

• 〜に関して regarding; concerning
• 〜にとって for; from the standpoint of
• 〜として as; in the capacity of
• 〜に応じて according to; in response to