Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering ～に沿って: Navigating Japanese Grammar Like a Pro (JLPT N1)

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Following along; in accordance with; according to.

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates that an action or situation proceeds along a physical line/path or conforms to rules, plans, expectations, or standards.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] + に沿って

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Very common in business, legal, administrative, and formal communication to indicate adherence to rules, plans, or procedures.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in casual conversation, though it can be used for physical paths (e.g., 川に沿って歩く).

✍️ Written Language

Very frequent in formal documents, reports, news articles, and official statements.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, presentations, business meetings, and whenever adherence to rules/plans is emphasized.

💡 Common Applications

Following Plans or Instructions
Used to describe actions taken in accordance with a predetermined plan, schedule, or set of instructions.
Example: 会議は事前に配布されたアジェンダに沿って進められた。(The meeting proceeded according to the agenda distributed beforehand.)
Adhering to Rules or Standards
Used to indicate compliance with laws, regulations, company policies, or standards.
Example: 全ての参加者は、安全に関する規定に沿って行動しなければなりません。(All participants must act in accordance with the safety regulations.)
Following Physical Paths
Used to describe movement along a line, road, river, or coast.
Example: 海岸線に沿って美しいドライブコースが続いている。(A beautiful driving course continues along the coastline.)
📊
Frequency
Fairly frequent, especially in formal, business, and administrative contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Advanced (JLPT N1)
Example Sentences
新しい法律に沿って、事業内容を見直す必要がある。
We need to review our business operations in accordance with the new law.
川に沿って桜並木が続いており、春には多くの花見客で賑わう。
Cherry blossom trees line the river, bustling with many visitors for cherry blossom viewing in spring.
会社の方針に沿った行動を常に心がけています。
I always try to act in accordance with the company’s policy.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Physical vs. Abstract
Can refer to following a literal physical line/path (road, river, coast) or an abstract one (plan, rule, expectation, timeline).
Example: 道に沿って歩く (Walk along the road) vs. 規則に沿って行動する (Act in accordance with the rules).
Emphasis on Adherence
Often implies strict adherence, conformity, or following something closely without deviation.
Example: マニュアルに沿って正確に作業を行う。(Perform the work precisely according to the manual.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with ～に従って (ni shitagatte)
✅ Use に沿って when following a predetermined path, plan, rule, or standard. Use に従って when obeying instructions, orders, or following someone’s example.
～に沿って emphasizes conforming to a guideline or path. ～に従って emphasizes obedience or following the lead of someone/something active.
❌ Confusing with ～に基づいて (ni motozuite)
✅ Use に沿って when acting in accordance with something established. Use に基づいて when using something as the foundation or basis for a decision or judgment.
～に沿って is about following. ～に基づいて is about basing something on.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally formal or semi-formal. Indicates professionalism and adherence to established procedures, which is valued in formal settings.
Social Situations: Common in business, government, academic, and official communications.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations in usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～に沿って vs ～に従って
に沿って focuses on following a line, standard, plan, or rule. に従って focuses on obeying orders/instructions or following a person/group.
When to use: Use に沿って for plans, rules, paths, standards. Use に従って for instructions, orders, advice, or following a person’s actions.
～に沿って vs ～に基づいて
に沿って means acting in accordance with something. に基づいて means based on something.
When to use: Use に沿って when you are following a guide. Use に基づいて when you are using information/evidence as the foundation.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Always follows a noun. The form ～に沿って acts adverbially, modifying the following verb. ～に沿う (ni sou) is the verb form, meaning “to run along, to follow.” ～に沿った (ni sotta) is the past tense/adjectival form, modifying a subsequent noun.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced “ni sotte.” The っ (small tsu) indicates a slight pause before the “te.”

🧠 Memory Tips

Visualize following a river or a road sign that says “Follow this path!” (この道に沿って！). Connect it to the abstract meaning of following rules or plans.

Practice Exercises
以下の文の＿＿＿＿＿＿に入る最も適切なものを選びなさい。 会議は事前に配布された＿＿＿＿＿＿に沿って進められた。
資料
議題
場所
時間
以下の文の＿＿＿＿＿＿に入る最も適切なものを選びなさい。 政府は新しい環境＿＿＿＿＿＿に沿った政策を発表した。
問題
技術
基準
意識
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