“ni atatte / ni atari” Meaning — On the Occasion of 〜 (formal) [JLPT N1]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

“A word on the occasion of opening” — a formal phrase for undertaking something important, with examples. (JLPT N1)

「開会にあたって、一言ご挨拶を」 — at the moment of, on the occasion of some great undertaking

At the formal opening of ceremonies, appointments, departures, you often hear 「開会にあたって、一言ご挨拶申し上げます (on the occasion of the opening, allow me a few words of greeting).」 「〜にあたって／〜にあたり」 = on (undertaking, facing) the occasion of ～, at the time of ～. It's a formal, solemn expression for facing some important, special matter. This guide clarifies its core of “important occasion ＋ on the occasion,” its typical use for formal openings, and separating it from 「に際して」「において.」

Core: on (undertaking, facing) the occasion of ～, at this important juncture of ～

「noun／verb dictionary form ＋ にあたって（にあたり）」 means “on (undertaking, facing) the occasion of ～, at the time of ～” — used when facing some important, special matter or juncture, with a formal, solemn feel:

• 新事業を始めるにあたって、皆で決意を新たにした (on undertaking the new venture, we all renewed our resolve).
• 開会にあたり、主催者を代表してご挨拶いたします (on the occasion of the opening, I greet you on behalf of the organizers).
• 卒業するにあたって、恩師への感謝を伝えたい (on graduating, I want to convey my thanks to my teachers).

Feel: the core is “at this important juncture of ～, on facing ～.” It's used specifically for important, special, formal occasions (opening, appointment, departure, graduation, welcoming the New Year, starting a new project), often before a greeting, resolve, thanks, points of note — a typical formal opening expression. 「にあたり」 is a slightly more written form of 「にあたって.」 In English: “on the occasion of ～, at the time of ～, in ～ing.”

Attachment rules

Examples in use

• 新年を迎えるにあたり、皆様のご健康をお祈り申し上げます。(On welcoming the New Year, I pray for everyone's health.)
• 契約を結ぶにあたって、内容を十分に確認してください。(On concluding the contract, please fully check the content.)
• プロジェクトを進めるにあたり、いくつか注意点があります。(On advancing the project, there are a few points of note.)
• 入学にあたって、必要な書類をご案内します。(On enrollment, we will guide you on the necessary documents.)
• 選手宣誓するにあたり、彼は深く息を吸った。(On making the athlete's oath, he took a deep breath.)

⚠️ Easy traps to avoid

① Used for important, special, formal occasions, not for everyday trivia. This is 「にあたって」's key feel-limit. It's used specifically for important, special, formal matters, junctures — opening, appointment, departure, graduation, signing, welcoming the New Year, launching a new project, occasions of weight, with a formal, solemn feel. It's not for everyday, trivial acts: 「毎朝ご飯を食べるにあたって (×, eating breakfast is everyday trivia, not “important, formal” enough)」「トイレに行くにあたって (×)」 would be unnatural. For everyday trivial “when ～, at the time of ～,” just use 「〜とき.」 Test: facing an important, formal, special matter, juncture (a meeting／appointment／departure) → にあたって; everyday, trivial “when ～” → use とき.

② Separate it from 「に際して」 (actually very close, mostly interchangeable). 「にあたって」 and 「に際して」 both mean “on the occasion of ～,” very close in feel, mostly interchangeable, both for important, formal occasions. The subtle difference: 「〜にあたって」 leans “the moment of facing, undertaking some important matter” (with an active “facing this, for this” nuance, often before resolve, preparation, remarks): 開業にあたって、決意を述べる (on opening, state one's resolve). 「〜に際して」 leans “just at the time ～ occurs” (more purely “timing, occasion,” see 〈に際して〉): 卒業に際して、記念品を贈る (on graduation, present a memento). The two are interchangeable in the vast majority of formal settings (開会にあたって ≒ 開会に際して). Test: both are fine, 「にあたって」 leaning slightly toward “facing, undertaking,” 「に際して」 slightly toward pure “timing”; when unsure, both work in formal settings.

③ Separate it from 「において」 — にあたって is ‘timing, on the occasion,' において is ‘place, scope.' Both are more written, but differ in meaning — don't mix. 「〜にあたって」 = on the occasion of ～, at the time of ～ (timing, a point in time): 開会にあたって (on the occasion of the opening — the “timing of the opening”), 留学するにあたって (on studying abroad — the “time of going to study abroad”). It means “the timing, moment of facing something.” 「〜において」 = in ～ (place, time, scope, aspect) (see 〈において〉): 会議において (at the meeting — a place／occasion), 現代社会において (in modern society — a scope), この分野において (in this field — an aspect). It means “place, scope, aspect,” equivalent to “in ～ (a place／aspect).” Difference: 「にあたって」 is “timing, on the occasion” (at the time of ～); 「において」 is “place, scope, aspect” (in ～, see 〈において〉). Test: for “at the timing of ～, on facing ～” → にあたって; for “in the place／scope／aspect of ～” → において.

🔄 Compare: にあたって／に際して／において／とき

💡 Quick takeaway

「〜にあたって／〜にあたり」 = on (undertaking, facing) the occasion of ～, at the time of ～ — three points: ① used for important, special, formal occasions (opening／appointment／departure／welcoming the New Year), not for everyday trivia (that's とき); ② very close to 「に際して,」 mostly interchangeable — にあたって leans slightly toward “facing, undertaking,” に際して slightly toward pure timing (see 〈に際して〉); ③ separate it from 「において (place, scope, aspect, see 〈において〉)」 — にあたって is “timing, on the occasion.” This is a signature formal-opening expression — 「開会にあたって」「新年を迎えるにあたり」「新生活を始めるにあたって」 raise the solemn curtain for a greeting, resolve, thanks. To solemnly say “on this occasion of ～” in a ceremony, address, formal document, 「にあたって／にあたり」 is most fitting; but for an everyday “when ～,” just use 「とき,」 don't make a small matter sound like a ceremony.

❓ Quick FAQ

Q: What's the difference between 「にあたって」 and 「に際して」? Interchangeable?

The two are very close, both meaning “on the occasion of ～,” interchangeable in most formal settings, with a subtle difference. 「〜にあたって」 = on the occasion of ～, at the time of ～ (leaning ‘the moment of facing, undertaking some important matter'): it leans slightly toward the active nuance “facing this, for this, setting about it,” often before resolve, preparation, remarks, a greeting: 新事業を始めるにあたって、決意を新たにする (on undertaking the new venture, renew one's resolve — with the active feel of “facing, setting about”), 契約にあたって、条件を確認する (on (about to) signing, check the conditions). 「〜に際して」 = on the occasion of ～ (leaning ‘just at the time ～ occurs,' more purely timing, occasion, see 〈に際して〉): it more purely means “the timing, occasion of ～,” slightly more neutral in feel: 卒業に際して、記念品を贈る (on graduation, present a memento), 開会に際して、注意事項を述べる (on the opening, state points of note). The two are interchangeable in the vast majority of formal settings (開会にあたって ≒ 開会に際して, 留学するにあたって ≒ 留学するに際して). The subtle difference: 「にあたって」 leans slightly toward the active “facing, undertaking (preparing, resolving for it)”; 「に際して」 leans slightly toward pure “timing, occasion.” Test: both are fine, mostly interchangeable; to stress “facing, undertaking some matter, preparing for it” → slightly toward にあたって; for just pure “the timing, occasion of ～” → slightly toward に際して. When unsure, both are natural in formal settings.

Q: What's the difference between 「会議にあたって」 and 「会議において」?

The difference is ‘timing (on the occasion)' vs ‘place, scope (in ～),' the two differing in meaning — don't mix. 「〜にあたって」 = on the occasion of ～, at the time of ～ (timing, a point in time): 「会議にあたって」 means “at the timing of (about to hold, facing) the meeting,” the emphasis on “the time, occasion,” mostly followed by a greeting, preparation, note for it: 会議を開くにあたって、議題を確認する (on (about to) opening the meeting, check the agenda — the “timing of holding the meeting”). 「〜において」 = in ～ (place, scope, aspect) (see 〈において〉): 「会議において」 means “at the meeting (this place／occasion),” the emphasis on “place, occasion, scope,” equivalent to “in the meeting”: 会議において、重要な決定がなされた (at the meeting, an important decision was made — something happening within the “meeting place／occasion”). Difference: 「にあたって」 is “at the timing of ～, on facing ～” (a point in time); 「において」 is “in the place, scope, aspect of ～” (see 〈において〉). Test: to say “at the timing of (about to hold) the meeting, on the occasion” (mostly before a greeting, preparation) → 会議にあたって; to say “at the meeting (within this place／occasion) (something happens)” → 会議において. In short: にあたって = on the occasion (timing); において = in ～ (place／scope).

🖊️ Practice Quiz

Q1. 「留学する___、日本語の勉強を一層努力するつもりだ。」(on the occasion of studying abroad)

(A) に際して　(B) にあたって　(C) について　(D) に向けて

Q2. 「開幕___、理事長がスピーチをした。」(at the opening)

(A) にあたって　(B) について　(C) に際して　(D) どれでも

Q3. In which sentence can 「にあたって」 NOT be used?

(A) 試験を受けるにあたって、十分な準備をした。

(B) 結婚するにあたって、感謝の言葉を述べた。

(C) 毎日起きるにあたって、水を飲む。

(D) 新事業を始めるにあたって、計画を立てた。

Q4. 「出発___、荷物の最終チェックを行ってください。」(on departure)

(A) にあたって　(B) について　(C) にとって　(D) によって

Q5. What's the nuance difference between 「にあたって」 and 「に際して」?

(A) exactly the same

(B) にあたって is preparation/sentiment at a major occasion; に際して is the on-the-spot condition/procedural action

(C) にあたって is negative only

(D) に際して is colloquial only

Answer Key

1. (B) にあたって ── 留学するにあたって = on the occasion of studying abroad (a major resolution).

2. (A) にあたって ── 開幕にあたって = at the opening (a formal occasion). (に際して also fits.)

3. (C) 毎日起きるにあたって ── にあたって is for important/formal occasions, not an everyday habit.

4. (A) にあたって ── 出発にあたって = on departure.

5. (B) ── にあたって is preparation/sentiment at a major occasion; に際して is the on-the-spot condition/procedural action.