How to Say ‘About (a topic)’ in Japanese
〜について
ni tsui te
[nee tswee teh]
💬 Usage Tip: Grammar: noun + [について]. Example: [仕事について] (“about work”). Slightly formal; casual alternative: [〜のこと].
🇯🇵 In Japan: For sensitive topics, [〜について] sounds organized and mature—useful for “honest talk” moments.
Phrase Breakdown
に
ni
[nee]
in; at; on; to (particle)
A particle used to mark the target/location/time, or the person something is directed to. In the pattern 〜について, it attaches to a topic/subject (X) before ついて.
Tinderでの関係について、正直に話したい。
I want to talk honestly about our relationship on Tinder.
つい
tsui
[tswee]
attach; follow (stem in ついて)
The stem of 付く (つく). In 〜について it forms a set phrase meaning “about / regarding.” Common in serious relationship talks: 〜について話す/考える.
私たちの将来について考えてる。
I’m thinking about our future.
て
te
[teh]
te-form connector (and/so)
The て in ついて completes the fixed expression 〜について (“about/regarding”). On its own, て connects actions or gives reasons.
付き合うことについて話して、気持ちを確認した。
We talked about dating and confirmed our feelings.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager