N2 Timing, Occasions, and Triggers

~に際さいして: meaning, usage and examples

~に際さいして means: on the occasion of... / at the time of... (formal).

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

Examples

1. 開会かいかいに際さいして、ご挨拶あいさつを申もうし上あげます。

   As we open the meeting, I would like to say a few words of greeting.

2. 出発しゅっぱつに際さいして、注意事項ちゅういじこうを確認かくにんした。

   At the time of departure, I confirmed the precautions.

3. 入社にゅうしゃに際さいして、必要ひつような書類しょるいを提出ていしゅつしてください。

   When joining the company, please submit the required documents.

4. 工事こうじの開始かいしに際さいして、住民じゅうみんへの説明せつめい会かいが開ひらかれた。

   When construction began, a briefing was held for local residents.

When to use it

Use に際さいして to mark a special, usually one-time occasion and say what is done at that time: joining a company, the opening of a meeting or ceremony, starting construction, an election. 入社にゅうしゃに際さいして、必要ひつような書類しょるいを提出ていしゅつしてください (when joining the company, please submit the required documents). It points to the occasion itself and the formal steps that go with it.

Nuance

Formal; typical of speeches, official notices and written reports. に際さいし is even stiffer. It is not used for small daily events such as having lunch. The second clause is usually a formal action, a request or a procedure, not a feeling.

Compare

にあたって is very close but leans toward preparing for a new step: 開店かいてんにあたって準備じゅんびを進すすめる. に際さいして centers on the moment the occasion happens: 開会かいかいに際さいして挨拶あいさつを申もうし上あげる. 際さいに is the less formal, practical version: お降ふりの際さいはお忘わすれ物ものにご注意ちゅういください.

Tip: Most nouns before に際さいして are Sino-Japanese event words: 入学にゅうがく, 開会かいかい, 出発しゅっぱつ, 契約けいやく, 退職たいしょく. Spot one and the pattern is likely に際さいして.