Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering N2 Grammar: Understanding 「に応じて」 (ni ōjite)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The basic meaning of 「に応じて」 is “according to,” “in response to,” “in proportion to,” or “depending on.”

🎯 Primary Function

「に応じて」 is used to express that something changes or is determined by a preceding condition, situation, or request. It signifies that an action, decision, or state is adapted or corresponds proportionally to another factor.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + に応じて Verb (Plain/Dictionary form) + の + に応じて (less common, “の” nominalizes the verb phrase)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal contexts such as business communications, official announcements, contracts, news reports, academic writing, and public speeches.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in casual conversation; its use in informal settings might sound overly formal or stiff.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese, especially in professional documents, guidelines, and analytical texts.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal spoken contexts like business presentations, customer service explanations, and official statements. Less frequent in everyday chat.

💡 Common Applications

Customization and Adaptation
To indicate that something is tailored or adjusted based on specific requirements, conditions, or individual differences.
Example: 顧客の要望に応じて、サービス内容を調整します。 (We will adjust the service content according to the customer’s requests.)
Policy or Rule Application
To explain how a rule, policy, or action is applied differently depending on the situation or specific criteria.
Example: 状況に応じて、対応策が異なります。 (The countermeasure differs depending on the situation.)
Responsive Action
To show that an action is taken as a direct response to a changing condition or request.
Example: 天候に応じて、イベントの開始時間が変更される場合があります。 (Depending on the weather, the event’s starting time may be changed.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in formal, business, and administrative contexts. Essential for N2 learners to understand for professional communication.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (JLPT N2)
Example Sentences
お客様のニーズに応じてサービス内容を調整いたします。
We will adjust the service content according to the customer’s needs.
天候に応じて、イベントの開始時間が変更される場合があります。
Depending on the weather, the event’s starting time may be changed.
学力に応じてクラス分けを行います。
We divide students into classes according to their academic ability.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Implies Correspondence/Proportionality
「に応じて」 emphasizes that the action or state described in the latter part of the sentence is directly proportional to, or corresponds with, the condition or factor mentioned before it. It indicates a flexible adaptation.
Example: 市場の変化に応じて、戦略を見直す必要がある。 (It is necessary to review the strategy in response to market changes.)
Suggests Flexibility and Customization
Often used in contexts where customization, adjustment, or flexibility is required based on varying conditions or individual needs.
Example: 個人の学習進度に応じて、カリキュラムを調整します。 (We will adjust the curriculum according to each individual’s learning progress.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with 「によって」 (ni yotte)
✅ While both can mean “depending on,” 「に応じて」 specifically implies an active adjustment or response, whereas 「によって」 has a broader meaning including “by means of” or “due to.” 「に応じて」 always suggests that B changes *in accordance with* A.
Example: 「人によって意見が違う」(Opinions differ depending on the person) uses 「によって」 for simple variation. 「個々のニーズに応じて、製品を開発する」(Develop products according to individual needs) uses 「に応じて」 for active customization.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally formal and polite, suitable for professional and official communication.
Social Situations: Common in business, academic, administrative settings, and public announcements where precision and formality are valued.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

「に応じて」 vs. 「によって」
「に応じて」 emphasizes responsive adjustment or proportional change, implying an active adaptation. 「によって」 is broader, covering “depending on,” “by means of,” “due to,” and simple variations. While sometimes interchangeable for “depending on,” 「に応じて」 implies a more direct, adaptive link.
When to use: Use 「に応じて」 when an action or state *responds* or *adapts* to a condition. Use 「によって」 for general “depending on,” or for “by means of/due to.”
「に応じて」 vs. 「次第」 (shidai)
「次第」 can mean “depending on” (often implying a future decision or outcome contingent on something, e.g., “results pending”) or “as soon as.” 「に応じて」 focuses on ongoing or general adaptation/response.
When to use: Use 「に応じて」 for established policies or adaptive processes. Use 「次第」 for immediate future actions contingent on an event, or when something is “up to” someone/something.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

「に応じて」 is very straightforward in its conjugation: simply attach it directly after a noun. When used with a verb, the verb must be nominalized by adding 「の」 before 「に応じて」 (e.g., Verb (plain form) + の + に応じて).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The “応” (ō) in 「応じて」 is a long “o” sound. Pay attention to the smooth flow from “ni” to “ōjite.”

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of the kanji 応 (ō) as “response” or “correspondence.” So, 「に応じて」 literally means “in response to” or “corresponding to.” Visualize a seesaw where one side (the action/result) adjusts in proportion to the other side (the condition/factor).

Vocabulary List
調整
chōsei
adjustment
顧客
kokyaku
customer
要望
yōbō
request, demand
天候
tenkō
weather
開始時間
kaishi jikan
start time
変更
henkō
change
学力
academic ability
Kanji List
応
おう
respond, comply, apply
客
きゃく
guest, customer
要
よう
essential, requirement
望
ぼう
desire, hope
天
てん
heaven, sky
候
こう
climate, season
開
かい
open
始
し
begin
時
じ
time
変
へん
change
更
こう
change, renew
Practice Exercises
会議の進捗＿＿、議題を調整します。
につれて
に応じて
によって
しだいで
お客様の注文＿＿、商品のパッケージデザインを変更します。
によって
に応じて
とともに
に関して
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