N2 Timing, Occasions, and Triggers

~にあたって/~にあたり: meaning, usage and examples

~にあたって/~にあたり means: on the occasion of... / at the time of...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 卒業そつぎょうにあたって、感謝かんしゃの言葉ことばを述のべた。

   On the occasion of graduation, I expressed words of gratitude.

2. 新事業しんじぎょうを始はじめるにあたり、調査ちょうさを行おこなった。

   Before starting the new business, we conducted research.

3. 契約けいやくを結むすぶにあたって、条件じょうけんをよく確認かくにんしてください。

   Before signing the contract, please check the terms carefully.

4. 留学りゅうがくするにあたり、両親りょうしんに相談そうだんした。

   Before going abroad to study, I talked it over with my parents.

When to use it

Use this for an important starting point or milestone: graduation, opening a business, a contract, studying abroad. It says what someone does or must do in preparation for, or at the moment of, that step: 留学りゅうがくするにあたり、両親りょうしんに相談そうだんした (before going to study abroad, I talked it over with my parents). The event is something planned and significant.

Nuance

Formal; common in speeches, business documents and greetings. にあたり is stiffer and more written than にあたって. It suits one-time, forward-looking events, not everyday actions like going to the store. The second clause is often a preparation, an intention or a formal statement.

Compare

に際さいして is close but focuses on the occasion itself and is slightly stiffer: 入社にゅうしゃに際さいして書類しょるいを出だす. にあたって stresses getting ready for a new step: 開店かいてんにあたって準備じゅんびする. 際さいに is the everyday, less formal "when": 利用りようの際さいにはご注意ちゅういください.

Tip: Think "as we set out on this important step". If the event is ordinary and routine, use 時とき or 際さいに instead of にあたって.