Situation and occasion

～に際して

on the occasion of; when; at the time of

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + に際して
  • Noun + に際して / に際し
  • Noun + に際しての + noun

Register: Formal; notices, procedures and contracts

Explanation

Marks the moment when an action is taking place or is about to, and states what is needed or done at that moment.

Sounds official and procedural. Typical contexts are applications, contracts, entering or leaving a country, or joining a group.

Examples

  1. 入会に際して、身分証明書の提示が必要だ。

    にゅうかいにさいして、みぶんしょうめいしょのていじがひつようだ。

    Proof of identity must be shown when joining.

  2. 契約に際し、重要事項の説明を受けた。

    けいやくにさいし、じゅうようじこうのせつめいをうけた。

    At the time of the contract, I received an explanation of the key points.

  3. 出国に際して、パスポートを確認してください。

    しゅっこくにさいして、パスポートをかくにんしてください。

    Please check your passport when leaving the country.

Compare with

  • ～にあたって: にあたって puts more weight on an important start and preparation.

Common mistakes

  • Using it for a long continuing state. It points to a specific moment.