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Formation: V-dictionary / N + にあたって／にあたり; N + にあたっての + N; topic form: にあたっては

This pattern marks an important, often one-off occasion that someone is about to face, such as starting a business, going abroad, or the new year. The main clause tells how they prepare, their attitude, a request or a greeting. It is formal and typical of speeches, greetings and official documents, and にあたり is even more written. It doesn't work for everyday actions (not ご飯を食べるにあたって). It is close to, and often interchangeable with, 〜に際して. に際して points more to the moment itself, while にあたって suggests facing a task and getting ready for it. Compare 〜に先立って, which means something is done beforehand as a separate step, and 〜を機に, which means using an occasion to make a change.

Variants: にあたり、にあたっては、にあたっての

Examples

• 新年を迎えるにあたり、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。
  As we greet the New Year, allow me to say a few words.
• 留学するにあたって、奨学金を申請した。
  In preparation for studying abroad, I applied for a scholarship.
• 調査の実施にあたっては、個人情報の保護に配慮する。
  In carrying out the survey, care will be taken to protect personal data.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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