に関わるto affect; to be involved in
One thing has a bearing on another, usually with something serious at stake: a life, safety, a reputation. When に follows work or an activity that someone takes part in, the same verb means to be involved in it.
involved in
She has been involved in preserving cultural properties for more than ten years.
How to form it
Noun + に関わる
A godan verb (う-verb): 関わります, 関わっている. Also written にかかわる. The kanji is the one in に関する, read differently.
Before a noun
Noun + に関わる + noun
命に関わる病気, a life-threatening illness.
- Before it
- What is at stake: 命 (life), 安全 (safety), 信用 (reputation), 将来 (the future), 名誉 (honor).
- After it
- Often a noun: 問題, 病気, けが, こと. Or the sentence ends there.
- Tone
- Serious. It says this matters.
- Where you'll meet it
- News, weather and safety warnings, hospitals; serious talk at home and at work.
In use
The company's survival is at stake in this decision.
Today will bring dangerous, life-threatening heat.
If we did that, the shop's reputation would be at stake.
Not "about"
について and the formal に関する name what someone talks or thinks about. に関わる is not about talk at all: one thing makes a difference to another.
The rail company gave an explanation about passenger safety.
What you talk, think, write or ask about.
Passenger safety depends on this inspection.
Their safety is at stake.
To be involved in
Before に comes some work or activity that someone has a part in, or another person they have to do with. Nothing has to be at stake.
I'm involved in disaster-preparedness work in my area.
You're better off having nothing to do with that person.
Close neighbours
The same meaning as について in stiffer words, for documents, the news and formal emails. Before a noun it is に関する.
The personnel department published a report on the new working arrangements.
にかかわらずN2
A set phrase of its own: "regardless of". にもかかわらず is "in spite of". Nothing is at stake in either.
This course is open to everyone, regardless of age.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
運転中の
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
姉は
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
A mistake in handling this drug can put a patient's life at risk.
A mistake on the label is a matter of consumer safety.
Which high school you go to will affect your future, so think it over carefully before you decide.
My older brother works in environmental education.
In the end, the gap in experience will have a bearing on whether the negotiations succeed.
関わってくる: it comes to matter as things go on.