At a company, all kinds of people work together, and once you become a full-fledged member of society, you naturally have to deal with people you don't like.
Whether it is your relationship with your boss or with your colleagues and juniors, human relationships are extremely important when carrying out your work.
特に新人のみなさんにとって、上司との関係をよくしておくことは重要です。
For new employees in particular, it is important to get along well with your boss.
Badmouthing your boss at a get-together or the like may bring momentary relief, but in the end it only makes the feeling of dislike take firmer root in your own heart.
Rather than that, try making an effort to bring the feeling of "dislike" down, at least to the level of "not exactly fond of, but not disliking either."
これは「美的凝視」という方法です。
This method is called "aesthetic gazing."
例えば、細かいミスばかり指摘する嫌な上司に対しても、その長所に目を向けるように努力するのです。
For example, even with a disliked boss who always nitpicks about small mistakes, make an effort to turn your eyes toward his good points.
Then you may notice that, although he is harsh when he scolds, both his thoughtfulness in looking after his subordinates afterward and the meticulous, accurate way he works show that he is, in fact, a surprisingly capable boss.
長所を見つけたら、同僚の前で話題にしましょう。
Once you have discovered your boss's good points, try mentioning them in front of your colleagues.
Expresses "once one reaches a certain condition or position, naturally ...," that is, "once one becomes ...".
Connection N + ともなると／ともなれば ＊動詞も使われることがある。
Examples
総理大臣ともなると、その言動の1つ1つが大きな影響を与える。
Once a person becomes prime minister, his every word and action has a huge influence on society.
そこは一見目立たない店だが、昼休みともなると大勢の客が列を作る有名ラーメン店だ。
At first glance it's an unremarkable shop, but it's a famous ramen restaurant where crowds line up once lunch break comes around.
普段はスポーツに関心のない人も、オリンピックともなれば夢中でテレビにかじりつく。
Even people who normally take no interest in sports become glued to the TV once the Olympics start.
工場を建てかえるともなると、億単位の金がかかる。
Once you decide to rebuild a factory, it costs hundreds of millions of yen.
What people say in everyday speech
〜になると
"ともなると" is more formal and written in tone than a plain "になると," emphasizing that "once one reaches this status or position, naturally ...," and is common in commentary and explanatory writing. In everyday conversation, the more natural way to say "once you become a working adult ..." is simply "社会人になると," without adding "とも" to stress the weight of one's status; that is a rhetorical nicety of written Japanese.
After their father's death, the two older brothers received the house and the land, while for some reason all that was left to the youngest brother was an old notebook.
災害時、迅速に対応した民間団体にひきかえ、政府は対応の遅れが目立った。
In the face of the disaster, private organizations responded quickly, while the government's response was clearly slow.
佐藤君の作品が独創的であるのにひきかえ、山下君のは平凡で面白みに欠ける。
Sato's work is highly original, whereas Yamashita's work is, by comparison, mediocre and dull.
What people say in everyday speech
〜のに／〜けど
"にひきかえ" is a written way of expressing a strong contrast. In everyday conversation, people usually just use "〜のに" or "〜けど" to express "compared to ...", as in "学生時代は楽だったのに、今は大変"; they don't deliberately use a contrast word like "にひきかえ," which has a commentary-like tone.
Expresses "not only ... but also ..." or "... is important, too, but ... is even more important."
Connection N + もさることながら
Examples
少子化の原因は、晩婚化もさることながら、教育費の負担の大きさにもある。
The causes of the declining birthrate lie not only in later marriages but also in the heavy burden of education costs.
熱中症を予防するには、水分補給もさることながら、塩分などを適度にとる必要もある。
To prevent heatstroke, it is necessary not only to replenish water but also to take in an appropriate amount of salt.
学生街のレストランは味もさることながら、量が多いことが第一条件だと言われる。
It is said that at restaurants in student districts, taste is important, but large portions are the top requirement.
What people say in everyday speech
〜も〜だけど
"もさることながら" is a formal, written way of saying "not only ... but also ...". In everyday conversation, people usually express this with "〜も〜だけど," as in "内容もそうだけど、量が大事," which is much lighter and more casual than "もさることながら."
Expresses "whether A or B," giving examples to say "it's the same no matter what ...".
Connection N1 + であれ + N2 + であれ ＊N2には疑問詞も使われる。
Examples
犬であれ猫であれ、このマンションでペットを飼うことは禁止されています。
Whether it is a dog or a cat, this apartment building prohibits keeping pets.
2位であれ3位であれ、優勝できなければ意味がない。
Whether you come in second or third, it is meaningless if you cannot win.
論文であれ手紙であれ、他人の書いたものを引用するときには、著作権に配慮しなければならない。
Whether it is a paper or a letter, you must be careful about copyright when quoting what someone else has written.
このウォーターカッターを使えば、コンクリートであれ何であれ、切れないものはない。
With this water jet cutter, whether it is concrete or anything else, there is nothing it cannot cut.
「疑問詞（＋N）＋であれ」は「〜であっても」という意味で使われる。
"Interrogative word (+ N) + であれ" expresses "it is the same even if it is ...".
たとえどんな理由であれ、暴力は許されない。
Whatever the reason, violence is not allowed.
どこであれ、あなたの行くところへ私もついて行きたい。
No matter where you go, I want to go with you.
What people say in everyday speech
〜でも〜でも
"であれ〜であれ" is the formal way of saying "whether ... or ..." and is common in regulations and commentary articles. In everyday conversation, the same meaning is usually expressed with "〜でも〜でも," as in "犬でも猫でも禁止だよ," which is far more natural than "であれ."
Expresses "(taking action) in accordance with a certain situation, experience, or rule." When the object is a law or regulation, the kanji 則して is used instead of 即して.
Connection N + にそくして／にそくした＋N ＊状況・経験・規則などを表す名詞と一緒に使われる。
Examples
地形や産業構造など地域の実情に即して、災害対策を急がなくてはならない。
Disaster countermeasures must be drawn up as soon as possible in line with the actual conditions of the region, such as its terrain and industrial structure.
弊社は、時代に即した経営によって、常に業界をリードしてまいりました。
Our company has always led the industry through a style of management that keeps pace with the times.
この地区で路上喫煙すると、条例に則して1万円以下の罰金が科せられるそうだ。
It is said that in this area, smoking on the street is punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 yen under the local ordinance.
What people say in everyday speech
〜に合わせて
"に即して" is a formal, written way of saying "in accordance with a certain situation or rule," common in official documents and reports. In everyday conversation, the more natural way to say "respond in line with the current situation" is "今の状況に合わせて," which is much lighter and more colloquial than "現状に即して."
Expresses "only ..., nothing else," and is often used to give high praise, as in "compared to the alternatives, ... is best."
Connection N + をおいて他にない ＊「〜をおいて他にいない」「〜をおいてない」などの形も使われる。
Examples
地球の生態系を保全し、環境を守ることができるのは、人類をおいて他にない。
The only ones who can protect the Earth's ecosystem and safeguard the environment are humans; there is no one else.
次期社長は、経歴、人格、実績すべての面からみて、彼をおいて他にいないだろう。
Judging from his résumé, character, and track record, there is probably no one but him for the next company president.
有利な条件で転職するなら、景気が好転している今をおいて他にない。
If you want to change jobs on favorable terms, there is no better time than now, when the economy is recovering.
経営戦略論を学ぶとしたら、この大学のビジネススクールをおいて他にないと思うよ。
For studying business strategy, I think there is no place other than this university's business school.
「何をおいても」は「どんな状況でも、まず第一に」という意味で使われる。
"何をおいても" expresses "whatever happens, first of all ...".
地震の際は、何をおいても、まず身の安全を確保してください。
In an earthquake, please make sure of your own safety above all else.
What people say in everyday speech
〜しかない
"をおいて他にない" is a formal, written way of saying "there is no choice other than this," often carrying a tone of high praise. In everyday conversation, "it's only this one" is usually expressed with "〜しかない," as in "これしかないよ," which is much lighter than "をおいて他にない."
Expresses "since it is something already known or a matter of course, there is no need to ... anymore."
Connection V-る + までもなく／までもない
Examples
遠方に足を運ぶまでもなく、ネットを通じて地方の特産品が手に入る時代になった。
The age has arrived when there is no need to go all the way to a distant place; you can buy local specialties over the internet.
この程度のことなら、社長の指示を仰ぐまでもないだろう。
A matter of this level doesn't require going out of your way to ask the company president for instructions, does it?
環境保護の必要性は、改めて世論に問うまでもないことだ。
The necessity of environmental protection is something that no longer needs to be confirmed with public opinion.
彼が何を言いたいかは聞くまでもないよ。
I don't need to hear what he wants to say; I already know.
What people say in everyday speech
当たり前だけど
"までもなく" is a written way of saying "it is already a matter of course, with no need for ...". In everyday conversation, to express "this goes without saying," people would more naturally use "言わなくてもわかるよね" or "当たり前だけど," which are far more casual than "言うまでもなく."
"〜いかん" is often used in the form "N + の + いかんにかかわらず／によらず／を問わず," expressing "regardless of what kind of content or state ... is, it makes no difference."
お申し込み後は、理由のいかんにかかわらず、キャンセルできませんのでご了承ください。
Once you have applied, cancellations will not be accepted for any reason; thank you for your understanding.
履歴書などの応募書類は、結果のいかんによらずご返却いたしません。
Application materials such as résumés will not be returned, regardless of the results.
この保険は、国籍のいかんを問わず、国内で働く全ての人に加入が義務づけられています。
This insurance must be taken out by everyone working in the country, regardless of nationality.
What people say in everyday speech
〜次第で
"いかん" is a stiff, written way of saying "depending on ...". In everyday conversation, "depending on ..." is more naturally expressed with "次第で," as in "天気次第で延期になるかも," which is much more natural than "いかんで." As soon as the word "いかん" appears, you can generally tell that it is news or announcement style.
Expresses giving two examples, A and B, and saying "overall ... (both are good / both are bad)," mostly used to express one's feeling that something is wonderful or terrible.
Connection N1 + といい + N2 + といい
Examples
濃厚なスープといい、麺のほどよい硬さといい、さすが日本一のラーメンだね。
The rich soup, the perfect firmness of the noodles; it really is Japan's number one ramen.
温泉といい、スキー場といい、冬の北海道は観光客にとって、魅力がいっぱいです。
The hot springs, the ski resorts; winter in Hokkaido is full of appeal for tourists.
このホテルは全く期待はずれだった。サービスといい、料理といい、ひどいものだ。
This hotel fell far short of my expectations. The service was bad and so was the food.