Grow with Kitty

Type in Japanese, kana, romaji or English. Every word and grammar point from N5 to N1.

    〜にあって (~ni atte) — in (a special situation / position)

    'In a situation like this…' — the stiff 'in' of news and speeches.

    Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

    N + にあって

    Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

    When to use it

    • On the news you hear: 「この不況にあっても、売り上げを伸ばしている会社がある」— 'even in a recession like this…'.
    • It is very stiff, written and speech language.

    Meaning

    • 「〜にあって」says 'this is no ordinary time, place or role — it is a special one': 非常時・不況・災害時・人手不足の時代・リーダーという立場.
    • What follows is either something that situation brings (災害時にあっては冷静さが大切だ — with 「は」)
    • or the opposite of what you would expect (不況にあっても売れている — with 「も」).

    How to attach

    N + にあって

    Versus what you know

    N3「〜において」(会議は本社において行われる) is just a neutral word for 'where / in which field'; 「にあって」stresses the weight of the situation.

    Watch out

    Never for everyday places and ordinary actions like the kitchen or a convenience store (× 台所にあって料理した).

    Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

    物価高の中にあっても、この弁当屋は値段を一度も上げていない。

    ぶっかだかのなかにあっても、このべんとうやはねだんをいちどもあげていない。

    Even amid rising prices, this lunch-box shop has not raised its prices once.

    How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 物価高 = high prices → 「の中」 = in the middle of → 「にあっても」 = even in such a hard situation → then something contrary to that situation: they haven't raised their prices.

    災害時にあっては、一人一人の冷静な判断が命を守る。

    さいがいじにあっては、ひとりひとりのれいせいなはんだんがいのちをまもる。

    In times of disaster, it is each person's calm judgment that saves lives.

    How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 災害時 = a time of disaster (not normal) → 「にあっては」 = because we are in such a situation → then what matters in that very situation: 冷静な判断.

    人手不足の介護現場にあって、外国人スタッフの存在は欠かせない。

    ひとでふそくのかいごげんばにあって、がいこくじんスタッフのそんざいはかかせない。

    In care work, where staff are in short supply, foreign workers are indispensable.

    How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 人手不足 = labor shortage → 「の」 → 介護現場 = care workplace → 「にあって」 = in such a situation → then what follows from that situation: 欠かせない (can't do without).

    Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

    Question: 1/3

    「非常時_あっては、冷静さが何より大切だ。」— fill the blank.

    💡 Hint: Which particle after the noun?

    Free Japanese tips by email

    New lessons, JLPT / JFT-Basic prep, and tools for Nepali speakers — straight to your inbox. No spam.

    No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.