について

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 200

Meanings

expression

usually written using kana alone

A very common particle-like expression placed after a noun to mark the topic or subject matter of speaking, thinking, writing, research, questions, and similar actions.

この問もん題だいについて話はなし合あいましょう。
Let's discuss this problem.
彼かれの発はつ言げんについて質しつ問もんがあります。
I have a question about his statement.

expression

per; for every

usually written using kana alone

Used after a counted unit to express a rate, fee, allowance, or allocation. This use is more limited and somewhat formal; につき or ごとに is often the more common everyday wording.

使し用よう一いっ回かいについて百ひゃく円えんの手て数すう料りょうがかかります。
A fee of 100 yen is charged per use.
参さん加か者しゃ一人ひとりについて資し料りょうを一いち部ぶ

Kanji

就concerning, settle, take position

Similar words

に関かんして
Also means 'regarding' or 'concerning' and is slightly more formal or explicit than について; it is not used for the 'per, for every' sense.
に対たいして
Means 'toward,' 'against,' or 'in contrast to' depending on context; it can overlap with topic marking in some sentences but focuses more on direction, target, or opposition.
につき
Common in notices and formal writing for 'per' or 'because of'; it is often the more natural choice for rates such as 一人につき.

Etymology

A particle-like expression written almost always in kana in modern Japanese. The rare kanji spelling に就いて reflects a conventional kanji association with つく/ついて, but it should be learned primarily as the fixed expression について.