〜にあたって

About

The ～に際さいして・にあたって patterns are used to express "before/when/on the occasion of doing X".

This entry concerns ～にあたって in particular.

～にあたって is stiff in tone and is generally used in official/formal situations.

～にあたって can attach to dictionary form verbs, and nouns. Usually these are する verbs and nouns that may take する.

～にあたって refers to the preparatory period of time "just before" a given action, and is therefore used with either future or current actions, rather than past ones.

Compared to ～に際さいして, ～にあたって contains a nuance of "in order to X", and is more commonly used for mental/emotional preparedness.

E.g. 新年しんねんを迎むかえるにあたり、大掃除おおそうじ、年賀状ねんがじょうの準備じゅんびと色々いろいろやることがある。 "There are many things to do in advance of the new year, such as cleaning, and preparing New Year's greeting cards."

E.g. 社会人しゃかいじんになるにあたって、責任感せきにんかんがもう少すこし必要ひつようだと思おもう。 "I think (they) require a slightly greater sense of responsibility in order to become a full-fledged member of society."

E.g. 開会かいかいにあたりまして、校長こうちょう先生せんせいからご挨拶あいさつをいただきます。 "We will have the principal say a few words before the meeting."

Summary

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  ～にあたって is used to express "before/when/on the occasion of doing X"

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  ～にあたって is stiff in tone

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  ～にあたって can attach to dictionary form verbs, and nouns