Are these phrases interchangeable? に関して, に対して, において, について, における


There's already [a question that discusses にかんして vs
について](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/934/difference-
between-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%8B%E3%82%93%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6-and-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6)
but I found more terms that are more or less the same to me. All phrases seem
to be some kind of topic marker that can be roughly translated to
`"regarding"` or oftentimes `"in"` but I couldn't find a dictionary that
discusses nuance or usage.

Sample sentences from Tatoeba/EDICT:

## に関して

>   * 心理学に関しては、彼は専門家だ。
>
> _In the matter of psychology, he is an expert._
>
>

>   * 私たちはこの問題に関して合意に達することが出来るだろうか。
>
> _Can we reach a consensus on this issue?_
>
>

## に対して

>   * 彼は私の質問に対してうなずいた。
>
> _He nodded in response to my question._
>
>

>   * 彼はまだあなたの行為に対して腹を立てている。
>
> _He is still angry with you for your conduct._
>
>

## において

>   * 復讐において、恋愛において、女は男よりも野蛮である。
>
> _In revenge and in love, woman is more barbarous than man is._
>
>

>   * 教育において試験が大きな役割を果たしている。
>
> _Examinations play a large part in education._
>
>

## について

>   * 法廷は彼のその殺人容疑について無罪とした。
>
> _The court acquitted him of the charge of murder._
>
>

>   * 過去の動作については過去形を用います。
>
> _"Past tense" is used in connection with actions in the past._
>
>

## における

>   * 中東における現在の情勢は、緊迫した政情不安となっている。
>
> _The current situation in the Middle East is a time bomb of tensions._
>
>

>   * 彼の発見は輸送における革命をもたらした。
>
> *His discovery gave rise to a revolution in transport. *
>
>

* * *

Related:

  * [にかんして vs について](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/934/difference-between-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%8B%E3%82%93%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6-and-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6)
  * [において vs における](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/19291/4183)




Not exactly interchangeable, though similar. Since I lack a formal linguistics
background to offer a more grammatical/technical response, I'd like to attempt
a layman's explanation:

  * **に関して "relating to"**  
The character 関 indicates that the topics have a connection/relationship, that
they are tied/locked to one another. Can refer to 1 or a collection of topics
related to the subject.

  * **に対して "in response to"**  
The use of 対 (as in 反対 (opposite)、対策 (counter-measure)) implies a 1:1, more
direct (oppositional) response; that you're referring to the other side of the
same coin.

  * **について "regarding"**  
The concepts of "connections" and relationship are still there, but perhaps
the situation is in flux. The kanji 就 in Chinese can mean "moving towards" a
topic, so there's a sense of fluidity, transition, or motion in the
conversation.

  * **において "in/at/by"**  
Tends to refer to specific locations, times, participants or state of being.
The kanji 於 is a preposition in Chinese indicating these same topics. Can be
used for abstract concepts like being "in love" but that's still a state of
being.

