“〜wo zentei ni・wo zentei to shite”: On the Premise of 〜 [JLPT N2]

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

“Kekkon wo zentei ni tsukiatte iru” — proceeding on the assumption that 〜 holds

「結婚を前提に付き合っている」 — it hasn't happened yet, but proceed as if it will

When declaring a serious relationship, 「結婚を前提に付き合っています」 (we're dating with marriage as the premise) — 「〜を前提に・〜を前提として」 = on the premise of ～ (a preset condition), used to express “taking some (not-yet-realized) matter as a settled direction, a preset condition, and advancing subsequent discussion or action on that assumption.” It's a high-frequency pattern in business, contracts, and formal discussion. This guide covers the core “premise” feel, the attachment traps, and drawing the line with the near-synonyms 「を踏まえて／をもとに.」

Core: it hasn't happened yet, but proceed ‘as if it will'

「noun ＋ を前提に(して)／を前提として」 means “take some matter as a ‘preset condition' and, on that basis, conduct discussion or action”:

• 採用を前提に、面接を行います (we conduct the interview on the premise of hiring).
• 海外赴任を前提として、採用する (we hire on the premise of an overseas posting).
• 双方の合意を前提として、本契約は効力を生じる (this contract takes effect on the premise of both parties' agreement).

Feel: the point is “presupposing, assuming it holds” — the matter (marriage・hiring・agreement・posting) is not yet realized, but both sides first take it as a settled direction, a preset condition, advancing on that assumption. It corresponds to “on the premise of ～, under the premise that ～, assuming ～ (holds).” Unlike “the thing is already done,” it's “first assume it will hold, then proceed on that assumption.”

Attachment rules

Examples in use

• この計画は、予算が承認されることを前提に進めている。(This plan is being advanced on the premise that the budget is approved.)
• 返却を前提として、資料をお貸しします。(We lend the materials on the premise of return.)
• 移住を前提に、現地の情報を集めている。(On the premise of relocating, I'm gathering local information.)
• 値上げを前提とした議論には反対だ。(I'm against a discussion premised on a price hike.)
• 全員参加を前提として、日程を組んだ。(We set the schedule on the premise of everyone attending.)

⚠️ Easy traps to avoid

① The core is ‘presuppose some matter will hold, advance on that assumption' (the matter isn't yet realized). 「〜を前提に」 is easily skimmed over, but its core feel is “take some not-yet-realized matter as a settled direction, a preset condition” — the matter (marriage・hiring・agreement) hasn't happened; both sides merely “first assume it will hold” and proceed on that assumption: 結婚を前提に付き合う = “(not married yet, but) date toward marriage, taking marriage as a preset premise.” So it carries a “clear goal, a preset direction” flavor. It corresponds to “on the premise of ～, under the premise of ～.” Test: to say “take some (unrealized) matter as a condition／direction and advance on that assumption” → を前提に. Its key difference from 「た上で (actually finish A first, then do B)」: を前提に = first ‘assume' some matter holds (as a condition); た上で = first ‘actually finish' some matter (as a step) (see 〈た上で〉).

② Modify nouns with 「を前提とした,」 and don't drop the particle 「を.」 These are the two commonest attachment traps. To modify a noun, you must use the attributive 「を前提とした,」 not 「を前提に」: ✗ 安全を前提に設計 → ✓ 安全を前提とした設計 (a design premised on safety). Because a noun 「設計」 follows, use the attributive. The other trap: the Chinese “以…為前提” has no function word in the middle, so learners easily drop the particle 「を」: ✗ 結婚前提に付き合う → ✓ 結婚を前提に付き合う. Mnemonic: before an action → を前提に／を前提として; before a noun → を前提とした; don't drop 「を.」

③ Division of labor with 「を踏まえて／をもとに／に基づいて.」 These all relate to “on the basis of something” — a frequently-tested N2 distinction. 「を前提に」 = take some (unrealized) matter as a ‘preset condition,' assume it holds and advance: 結婚を前提に (date assuming marriage will happen). 「を踏まえて」 = factor ～ (experience・current situation・opinion) in, then judge (take it into account, see 〈を踏まえて〉): 現状を踏まえて判断する. 「をもとに」 = use ～ as material／basis to create, produce (take it as raw stock, see 〈をもとに〉): データをもとに作る. 「に基づいて」 = strictly based on ～ (rules・data, follow): 規則に基づいて処理する. Test: “assume some matter holds, as a condition” → を前提に; “factor something in, then judge” → を踏まえて; “take something as material to make” → をもとに; “strictly follow” → に基づいて.

🔄 Compare: を前提に／を踏まえて／をもとに／た上で

💡 Learning tip

「〜を前提に・〜を前提として」 = on the premise of ～ (a preset condition) — three points: ① the core is “assume some (unrealized) matter holds, take it as a condition, advance on that assumption” — the matter isn't yet realized, you first take it as going to happen (結婚を前提に = not married yet, but heading that way); ② attachment traps — modify nouns with 「を前提とした,」 don't drop the particle 「を」; ③ division of labor with 「を踏まえて (factor in)／をもとに (as material)／た上で (finish first then, see 〈た上で〉).」 This is a high-frequency pattern in business, contracts, hiring, formal discussion — hiring conditions, cooperation premises, serious dating, contract-effect conditions — using it sounds organized and goal-clear. To express something similar in casual chat with friends, switch to a more colloquial 「〜するつもりで.」

❓ Questions you might have

Q: What's the difference between 「結婚を前提に付き合う」 and 「結婚した上で付き合う」? (both have ‘marriage')

A big difference — the key is ‘assume it will hold' vs ‘already actually done.' 「〜を前提に」 = take some (not-yet-realized) matter as ‘assumed to hold,' advance on it as a condition: the matter hasn't happened, merely taken as a settled direction: 結婚を前提に付き合う = “(not married yet, but) date with future marriage as a preset premise” — marriage is the “goal／direction assumed to be reached,” and the dating proceeds under that assumption. It's “first assume it will hold.” 「〜た上で」 = actually ‘finish' A first, then do B: A is an already-completed step, and B is done after A is complete: 結婚した上で〜 = “(having actually married,) after marriage, then…” — marriage is an accomplished fact, and what follows happens post-marriage (see 〈た上で〉). So 「結婚を前提に付き合う」 is “(not married yet,) date heading toward marriage,” while 「結婚した上で同居する」 would be “(having married first,) cohabit after marriage.” In one line: を前提に = the matter isn't done yet, first assume it will hold (as a condition); た上で = the matter is already actually done (as a step). Test: a matter not yet realized, merely presumed to hold → を前提に; a matter already actually completed, taken as an accomplished premise → た上で (see 〈た上で〉). This is also why 「を前提に」 is often used with “(future) marriage・hiring・agreement” — all things that are “not yet done but taken as a condition.”

Q: Which is correct, 「安全を前提に設計する」 or 「安全を前提とした設計」?

Both are correct, but for different structures — the difference is whether an “action” or a “noun” follows. 「安全を前提に設計する」 = design on the premise of safety: an action verb 「設計する」 follows, so use 「を前提に」 (or を前提として): この橋は、安全を前提に設計されている (this bridge is designed on the premise of safety — the action 「設計する」 follows). 「安全を前提とした設計」 = a ‘design (product／plan)' premised on safety: a noun 「設計」 follows, so use the attributive 「を前提とした」: 安全を前提とした設計が求められる (a design premised on safety is required — modifies the noun 「設計」). Difference: an action follows (設計する・進める・議論する) → を前提に／を前提として; a noun follows (設計・計画・議論) → を前提とした. This is 「を前提に」's commonest attachment trap — many still use 「を前提に」 when modifying a noun (✗ 安全を前提に設計 [noun]), but modifying a noun must use the attributive 「を前提とした.」 Test trick: check whether the word after 「前提」 is a verb or a noun — a verb takes 「を前提に (して／として),」 a noun takes 「を前提とした.」 E.g. 「値上げを前提に議論する (discuss on the premise of a price hike — an action follows)」 uses を前提に; 「値上げを前提とした議論 (a discussion premised on a price hike — a noun follows)」 uses を前提とした. Remember “action → に, noun → した,” and you won't fall into this trap.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「採用___、面接を行います。」（conduct the interview on the premise of hiring）

(A) を前提に　(B) をめぐって　(C) にとって　(D) について

Q2. 「安全___設計」（a design premised on safety） Which form modifies the noun?

(A) を前提とした　(B) を前提に　(C) を前提　(D) を前提にの

Q3. 「結婚を前提に付き合う」の意味は?

(A) Dating on the premise of marriage (a preset condition)

(B) Don't intend to marry

(C) Already married

(D) Oppose marriage

Q4. 「を前提に」の語感は?

(A) On the premise of ~ (a preset condition)

(B) Argue over ~

(C) Although ~, yet

(D) Even if ~

Q5. 接法が正しいのは?

(A) 合意を前提として進める。　(B) 合意を前提にのに。

(C) 合意が前提する。　(D) 合意を前提をして。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) を前提に ── On the premise of hiring.

2. (A) を前提とした ── Use を前提とした to modify the noun.

3. (A) ── Dating on the premise of marriage.

4. (A) ── On the premise of ~ (a preset condition).

5. (A) ── 「を前提として進める」 is correct.