The difference between について and こと

[The7thSamurai]

When you want to express "about" what's the difference between について and こと, and how do you know when to use each?

E.g.
日本のこと話していました。 = We were talking about Japan
彼女について何も知りません。 = I don't know anything about her

Would 日本について話していて also be acceptable? (or better, even?)

 

[epigene]

When you want to express "about" what's the difference between について and こと, and how do you know when to use each?
E.g.
日本のこと話していました。 = We were talking about Japan
彼女について何も知りません。 = I don't know anything about her
Would 日本について話していて also be acceptable? (or better, even?)

Yes, I think they're interchangeable in most cases (meaning that I can't think of exceptions offhand ).

And, yes, 日本について話していて would sound even better.

The only difference would be that ～について is "about" functioning as preposition, while ～の事 is "about" in a noun phrase.

So, the first sentence you gave should actually be:
日本のことを話していました。
The "wo" may be skipped in casual speech, though.

 

[The7thSamurai]

Yes, I think they're interchangeable in most cases (meaning that I can't think of exceptions offhand ).

When you say they're interchangeable I assume that you can change について to こと pretty easily, but not the other way around, as こと has many usages. Wouldn't happen to know where else I can find info on it? Not even 'A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar' mentions について and that's usually my be all and end all guide!