～に際して

〜ni saishite

JLPT N2 Formal Chapter 50: Occasion (While Doing / On The Occasion Of), 2 of 6

Formation

Noun + に際して

Used to express the moment or the occasion of an action; 'at the time of', 'upon', 'when'.

When to use

Formal "on the occasion of/at the time of" - common in speeches, formal announcements.

Explanation

The ～に際して grammar point describes an action that occurs during a specific event, occasion, or when something takes place. It can be translated into English as 'at the time of', 'upon', 'when', or 'in the event of'. This grammar is used with nouns to describe the context or situation during which an action takes place.

Example sentences

卒業式そつぎょうしきに際して、校長先生こうちょうせんせいがスピーチをします。

At the graduation ceremony, the principal gives a speech.

Sotsugyoushiki ni saishite, kouchou sensei ga supiichi wo shimasu.
この仕事しごとに際して、責任感せきにんかんが大切たいせつです。

Responsibility is important when doing this job.

Kono shigoto ni saishite, sekininkan ga taisetsu desu.
留学りゅうがくに際して、ビザの手続てつづきが必要ひつようです。

Visa procedures are necessary when studying abroad.

Ryuugaku ni saishite, biza no tetsuzuki ga hitsuyou desu.
結婚式けっこんしきに際して、両親りょうしんに感謝かんしゃの気持きもちを伝つたえました。

At the time of the wedding ceremony, I conveyed my gratitude to my parents.

Kekkonshiki ni saishite, ryoushin ni kansha no kimochi wo tsutaemashita.

Occasion (While Doing / On The Occasion Of)

Compare when to use each

Corpus examples (3)

書物しょもつの選択せんたくに際して、過去かこの偉大いだいな作家さっかは最もっとも注意ちゅういされるべきだ。

In one's reading, great writers of the past must be given the most attention.
書物しょもつの選択せんたくに際して、過去かこの偉大いだいな作家さっかたちは最もっとも注目ちゅうもくされるべきだ。

In one's reading, great writers of the past must be given the most attention.
卒業そつぎょうに際して、私わたしたちは感謝かんしゃの印しるしとして彼かれに置おき時計どけいを贈おくりました。

On leaving school, we presented him with a table clock as a token of our thanks.