Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 4/18

に際(さい)してOn the occasion of, At the time of

Structure

Noun + に際(さい)し（て）
Verb［る］+ に際(さい)し（て）
Noun + に際(さい)しての + Noun

Details

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    Formal

About に際して

Like 際(さい)に 'on the occasion of (A)', に際(さい)して will be used to show some particular occasion, and is used most frequently in regard to one-off events, or chance occurrences. However, unlike 際(さい)に, に際(さい)して is a combination of に, and the て-form of 際(さい)する, which is a verb that usually has the meaning of 'to come to pass'.

Despite the more literal translation of 'when (A) comes to pass', に際(さい)して will often just be interpreted as 'on the occasion of (A)', or 'at the time of (A)'. This is a formal grammar pattern that is seen connected either to nouns, or verbs in their dictionary form.

Caution

While there are many similarities between 際(さい)に and に際(さい)して, a few key differences exist. The first being that に際(さい)して is primarily used when (B) is something that will be done before (A), or when presented with the situation of (A). However, in the case of 際(さい)に, the nuance is more specifically 'on the occasion of (A)', marking the exact point in time, rather than the approach to that time.

Following on from this example, because に際(さい)して highlights the approach to a specific situation, it will never appear connected to verbs in the past tense. 際(さい)に, on the other hand, frequently appears with verbs in the past tense, as it can highlight the 'occasion' of an action being complete.

Examples

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    応援(おうえん)に際(さい)して守(まも)ってほしいルールがあります。

    On the occasion of supporting (someone), there are some rules that I would like you to follow.

    移転(いてん)に際(さい)して必要(ひつよう)なものがあれば言(い)ってね。

    On the occasion of being transferred, let me know if there is anything that (you) need.

    「受験(じゅけん)に際(さい)しての注意(ちゅうい)事項(じこう)」をよくお読(よ)みください。

    Please, read the 'points to keep in mind at the time of the exam' carefully.

    車(くるま)を追(お)い越(こ)すに際(さい)して気(き)をつけるべきことがある。

    At the time of passing another vehicle, you should take necessary precautions.

    独立(どくりつ)するに際(さい)して、先輩(せんぱい)のご意見(いけん)をいただけませんか？

    May I get your (senpai's) opinion at the time of becoming independent?

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      に際して – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • l2Characters

        l2Characters

        For this example,

        「ローレンス様とのご契約に際しまして、当方の契約書に誤りがございましたことをお詫び申し上げます。」

        Why can の際に not be accepted in place of に際して? It seems to me like it should be acceptable or at least give orange text instead of completely wrong. If I’m missing nuance please tell me how that would change the meaning.

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