JLPT Grammar “〜にかけては”｜How to Describe Someone’s Strongest Skill

What Does “〜にかけては” Mean?

“〜にかけては” is a grammar pattern used to say that someone is especially excellent in a certain area.

It means:

“When it comes to…”
“In terms of…”
“As for that skill or field, this person is outstanding.”

This pattern is often used to praise someone’s ability, technique, knowledge, or experience in a specific field.

Meaning

“〜にかけては” does not simply introduce a topic.
It highlights a field in which someone stands out from others.

So the nuance is not just:

“about…”

but rather:

“when it comes to that area, they are especially good”
“in that field, they are hard to beat”

Structure

Noun + にかけては

The noun is usually a word related to skill, ability, knowledge, technique, or expertise.

Examples:

When it comes to cooking
When it comes to memory
When it comes to negotiation skills
When it comes to knowledge of Japanese history

The sentence that follows often includes expressions such as:

no one can beat
the best
outstanding
second to none

Example Sentences

When it comes to giving clear explanations, he is the best teacher in this school.

My grandmother is especially skilled at home cooking, and many people in the neighborhood praise her meals.

When it comes to reading the flow of a game, that player is second to none.

She is especially talented at organizing key points in a short amount of time.

When it comes to pronunciation training, our teacher is truly outstanding.

My father is very skilled at making delicious meals with inexpensive ingredients.

Difference from “〜については”

Many learners confuse “〜にかけては” with “〜については.”

“〜については” simply marks a topic.
It does not necessarily include praise or evaluation.

For example:

I do not know much about that issue.
We will talk about his opinion later.

On the other hand, “〜にかけては” expresses excellence in a certain field.

When it comes to memory, he cannot be beaten.
When it comes to customer service, she is highly respected.

So the difference is:

“〜については” = simply about a topic
“〜にかけては” = especially excellent in that area

Important Notes

“〜にかけては” is usually used with things that can be evaluated, such as skills, knowledge, technique, or ability.

Because of that, it sounds unnatural with nouns that do not describe a field of ability.

For example:

When it comes to the station, he is the best.

This is unnatural, because “station” is not a skill or area of expertise.

A natural sentence would be:

When it comes to giving directions, he is the best.
When it comes to reading maps, he is the best.

Also, the second half of the sentence usually contains a positive evaluation.
That is one of the key features of this pattern.

Common Expressions

“〜にかけては” often appears with phrases such as:

no one can beat
second to none
the best
outstanding
highly respected

Learning these phrases together makes the pattern much easier to use.

JLPT Tip

In the JLPT, pay attention to two points:

Is the noun before it something related to skill or ability?
Does the second half of the sentence express a high evaluation?

If both are true, “〜にかけては” is often the right choice.

Summary

“〜にかけては” is used to say that someone is especially good in a certain field.

It is commonly used with abilities, knowledge, techniques, and areas of expertise.
Unlike “〜については,” it does not just introduce a topic. It gives a strong positive evaluation.

If you want to improve your JLPT grammar through real practice, visit RJT and try studying with practical questions.
https://rapid-jt.com/