* Because the job involves product guidance and serving customers, non-Japanese applicants must have a level of Japanese equivalent to JLPT N2 or higher to apply.
Used in notices and announcements to give a reason, as in 「雨天につき中止」 (canceled due to rain).
Connection N + につき
Examples
清掃中につき、お足元にご注意ください。
Cleaning in progress, so please watch your step.
会場内は禁煙につき、おたばこはご遠慮ください。
This venue is non-smoking, so please refrain from smoking.
4月15日（木）：佐藤医師、学会出席につき休診。
April 15 (Thu): Closed because Dr. Sato will be attending a conference.
ただ今、改装工事中につき、左記の仮店舗で営業いたしております。
We are currently under renovation, so we are operating from the temporary store listed at left.
What people say in everyday speech
〜ので／〜から
「につき」is a written expression used only in notices and instructions. In everyday conversation you would hardly ever say 「オープンにつき」; you would simply say 「オープンするので」or 「オープンしたから」. 「につき」appears almost exclusively in formal written contexts such as announcements and press releases, so in speech just use an ordinary expression of reason.
Used in notices and introductory texts to mean "no matter when, where, or who."
Connection N + を問わず （＊「昼夜・国の内外・男女・〜の有無」などの言葉と一緒に使われる）
Examples
このスポーツセンターは、年齢を問わず、どなたでも利用できます。
This sports center can be used by anyone, regardless of age.
このスーパーは昼夜を問わず、営業しているので、深夜も働く人にとってありがたい。
This supermarket is open day and night, which is convenient for people who work late at night.
経験の有無を問わず、やる気のある社員を募集します。
We are recruiting motivated staff, with or without experience.
私の国では、老若男女を問わず、みんな、サッカーが好きだ。
In my country, everyone, men and women, young and old, loves soccer.
What people say in everyday speech
〜に関係なく／〜でも
「を問わず」has a fairly strong written-language feel, but it is slightly more versatile than 「につき」, and you can also hear it in formal spoken situations such as interviews and speeches. A more relaxed way to say it in casual conversation is 「〜に関係なく」, or simply 「〜でも」, as in 「国籍とか関係なく」or 「だれでも」.
The form 「N＋に限って〜ない」 is used when something unexpectedly bad has happened, or to strongly deny a rumor, meaning "it's impossible that..."
うちの子に限って、万引きなんてするはずがありません。
Other kids might, but my child would never steal.
彼に限って浮気なんてするはずがない。
Of all people, he would never cheat on her.
彼に限って、そんな単純なミスをするわけがない。
Of all people, he would never make such a simple mistake.
にせものを売るなんて、あの店に限って、そんなことは絶対にない。
Selling fake goods? That shop would never do such a thing.
What people say in everyday speech
〜だけ
「に限り」is a formal expression found in notices and the terms of special offers, and it is hardly ever used in everyday speech. Just say 「だけ」instead, for example 「N2レベル以上の人だけ」, which sounds much more natural than the written form.
Means "in accordance with conditions such as wishes, changes, region, circumstances, age, ability, or experience."
Connection N + に応じ／に応じて／に応じた＋N
Examples
給料は能力や経験に応じ、決めさせていただきます。
Pay will be determined according to ability and experience.
新年会はご予算に応じていろいろなコースがございます。
For the New Year party, several course options are available depending on your budget.
社会人なら、場所や場合に応じた服装を心がけるべきだ。
As a member of society, you should take care to dress appropriately for the occasion.
会社は社員の要望に応じて社員食堂のメニューを増やした。
The company expanded the staff cafeteria menu in response to employees' requests.
What people say in everyday speech
〜によって／〜次第で
「に応じて」 is actually fairly common in both written and spoken language and is not especially stiff. A more casual spoken alternative is 「〜によって」 or 「〜次第で」, as in 「経験によって時給が変わる」, which sounds lighter.
The usage fees at the community center have changed. For the Japanese-style room, it is 1,000 yen for two hours regardless of the number of people.
セール品のため、理由のいかんにかかわらず、返品はお受けできません。
As these are sale items, we cannot accept returns, regardless of the reason.
会議で発言するしないにかかわらず、自分の意見はまとめておくべきです。
Whether or not you speak at the meeting, you should organize your own opinions beforehand.
今回の旅行は晴雨にかかわらず、実施します。
This trip will go ahead rain or shine.
What people say in everyday speech
〜に関係なく
「にかかわらず」 sounds very formal and written, so in everyday conversation it is almost always replaced by 「〜に関係なく」, as in 「結果に関係なく、連絡します」. The meaning is the same, but in speech nobody says something as stiff as 「結果にかかわらず」.
Means "at/in (a place, an era, or a field)," and is often used in notices and news reports.
Connection N + において／における＋N
Examples
入学式は、3階のホールにおいて行われます。
The entrance ceremony will be held in the hall on the third floor.
日本だけでなく、ほかの国においても、環境汚染は深刻な問題だ。
Not only in Japan, but in other countries too, environmental pollution is a serious problem.
彼のようなすばらしい人に出会えたのは人生における最大の幸運だった。
Meeting a wonderful person like him is the greatest stroke of luck in life.
今回の風力発電施設の建設は自然エネルギー開発において大きな意味があると言われている。
It is said that the construction of this wind power facility is highly significant in terms of developing natural energy.
What people say in everyday speech
で
「において／における」 is a very formal written expression, common in articles, speeches, and notices. In everyday speech it is almost always replaced by 「で」, as in 「当店で面接します」 or 「ここで話しましょう」. 「において」 hardly ever appears in conversation, and when it does it sounds like an announcement.
「〜際」 means "when ~" and is used in instructions and guides, often followed by expressions like "please...," "you need to...," or "we ask that you..."
Connection V-る／V-た／N の + 際（に）
Examples
カードを紛失した際はサービスセンターにご連絡ください。
If you lose your card, please contact the service center.
入学手続きの際に必要なものは下記の通り。
The items required when completing enrollment procedures are as follows.
目上の人と話す際には、言葉だけでなく態度にも気をつけてください。
When talking with your elders, pay attention not only to your wording but also to your attitude.
What people say in everyday speech
〜とき
「際に」 is more formal than 「とき」 and is common in manuals, speeches, and announcements. In everyday speech people almost always just say 「とき」, as in 「面接のとき、履歴書を持ってきてね」, which sounds far more natural and relaxed than 「面接の際に」.
Plus〜に際して★★
「N＋に際して」の形もあり、注意やおわび、説明などの文に使われる。
There is also the form 「N＋に際して」, used for precautions, apologies, explanations, and so on.
各種書類の提出に際しては、期限を厳守してください。
When submitting any documents, please be sure to observe the deadline.
振り込みに際して、手数料はお客様のご負担となります。
When transferring money, the transfer fee is to be paid by the customer.
商品発送に際して、一部商品の発送が遅れましたことを深くおわびいたします。
At the time of shipping the goods, some items were delayed, and we sincerely apologize.
Application forms must arrive by January 28. Over-the-counter submissions will not be accepted.
寮の台所はきれいに使用すること。
The dormitory kitchen must be kept clean when in use.
試験中は携帯電話の電源を切ること。筆記用具以外は机の上に置かないこと。
Mobile phones must be turned off during the exam. Nothing other than stationery may be placed on the desk.
寮のシャワーは夜11時以降、使用しないこと。
The dormitory showers may not be used after 11 p.m.
What people say in everyday speech
〜てください／〜てね
The sentence-final 「V-る＋こと」 is reserved for rules and notices. It is formal and carries a commanding tone, so it is rare in everyday conversation; when it is spoken (e.g. a teacher saying 「明日までに出すこと」), it sounds like announcing a rule. In daily life, requests and reminders use 「〜てください」 (polite) or 「〜てね」 (casual), as in 「履歴書、持ってきてね」. An expression like 「持参のこと」 appears only on printed notices.