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について Meaning in Japanese

Use this pattern when the topic itself matters: a subject you study, ask about, read about, or discuss.

について means “about,” “regarding,” or “concerning” and normally follows a noun. For example, 日本の文化について勉強しています means “I am studying about Japanese culture.” Use について before a verb phrase, and use についての before a noun: 日本についての本, “a book about Japan.”

Try the self-checkOpen N4 grammar

The core pattern: noun + について

PatternMeaningNatural example
N について Vdo something about N日本の歴史について読みます。
N についての Na noun about N旅行についての質問があります。
N についてはas for / regarding N (contrast or emphasis)宿題については、あとで話します。
N についてもalso about N日本語についても勉強しています。

Think of について as a topic frame. The noun before it is the subject you are dealing with; the verb after it says what you do with that topic.

When the topic is an action

Do not attach について directly to a normal verb ending. Turn the action into a noun-like phrase with こと.

Not naturalNatural patternWhy
日本へ行くについて話します。日本へ行くことについて話します。こと turns “going to Japan” into the topic.
料理するについて勉強します。料理することについて勉強します。The whole activity becomes a noun phrase.
日本の料理について勉強します。日本の料理について勉強します。A noun can attach directly.

について vs similar expressions

ExpressionBest useRegister / nuanceExample
についてabout, regardingNeutral; useful in speech and writing映画について話す
に関してregardingMore formal申請に関して質問があります
のことabout; a person or familiar subjectEveryday and often personal日本のことをもっと知りたい
についてのabout + following nounMust modify a noun音楽についての記事

For a beginner, start with について. Learn に関して later when a formal context makes the difference useful.

Use it: four quick sentence decisions

Choose the answer in your head, then open the explanation. The useful habit is naming whether the next word is a verb or a noun.

日本の文化について（読む / 本） — which one completes the sentence?

読む: 日本の文化について読みます。 The pattern is noun + について + verb.

日本の文化についての（読む / 本） — which one completes the phrase?

本: 日本の文化についての本。 についての must lead into a noun.

How do you say “I will ask about studying in Japan”?

日本で勉強することについて質問します。 Add こと because the topic is an action.

Which is more formal in a notice: について or に関して?

に関して is usually more formal. Both can be correct, but formality and audience determine the best choice.

5 Common Mistakes with について

  1. Putting it directly after an action. Add こと when the topic is a verb phrase.
  2. Using についての before a verb. The の version must modify a following noun.
  3. Using it as a substitute for every particle. It frames a topic; it does not replace object, destination, or location particles.
  4. Forgetting the noun before the pattern. Say what the topic is: 日本語について, 旅行について, or その本について.
  5. Assuming に関して is always interchangeable. It is more formal, so use it deliberately rather than adding it to casual speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does について mean in Japanese?

It usually means about, regarding, or concerning. It follows a noun, as in 日本の文化について勉強しています.

Can について follow a verb?

Not directly after an ordinary verb form. Use こと first: 日本へ行くことについて話します.

What is the difference between について and についての?

Use について before a verb phrase; use についての before a noun.

What is the difference between について and に関して?

Both mean about or regarding, but に関して is more formal and common in notices or reports.

Is について JLPT N4 grammar?

It is a useful lower-intermediate pattern commonly studied around N4. Treat it as a useful communication pattern, not a guaranteed test item.

How can I practise について?

Choose a noun you know, add について, and finish a sentence with study, read, ask, write, or talk.

Continue the N4 grammar cluster

JLPT N4 grammar guideSee the broader N4 grammar map and related patterns.Japanese particles guideBuild clear sentence roles before adding topic frames.Japanese sentence structurePractise putting the verb and its markers in the right place.Japanese grammar quizCheck your N5 foundation with original questions.