について

About / concerning / regarding

Used to indicate the topic or subject matter of discussion, thought, research, or explanation.

N3

Meaning

About / concerning / regarding

Used to indicate the topic or subject matter of discussion, thought, research, or explanation.

Formation

Noun + について
Noun + についての + Noun

Explanation

「について」 expresses that something is about a topic.

Key nuance:

  • Neutral and objective

  • Used for explanation, discussion, research

  • Common in formal and written Japanese

  • Frequently appears in JLPT reading passages

It simply marks the subject of discussion.

It does NOT express:

  • Direction (に対して)

  • Viewpoint (にとって)

  • Physical movement