資Nuance and style
For a…, as a…
Say something's surprising for what it is, or describe someone's role. These look alike but mean different things.
The three
Similar shape, different job
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ~にしては | for a…, you'd expect different | 子供にしては |
| ~として | in the role of | 先生として |
| ~としては | by the standard of, speaking as | 先生としては |
Surprisingly so
~にしては
They speak Japanese well, for an American.
It goes against a common assumption, so be careful: it may seem rude.
You did well for a first time.
In what role
~として
I'm working as an interpreter.
We use this room as a classroom.
By what standard
~としては
As new cars go, this is cheap.
Speaking for myself, I'm opposed.
Telling them apart
にしては vs. としては
~にしては assumes the subject really is in that category, and that it's surprising: he's a child, and yet… ~としては just sets a standard, and the subject need not belong to it. That's why, when you're not sure what something is, you say これは水にしては変な色です, “This has a strange color, for water.”
Check yourself
What does it say?
Your turn
に or と?
They know a lot for a student.
Say it yourself
New job
You're working as an English teacher at a school. A friend's Japanese surprises you for someone who's only studied it a year.
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