Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering 「に沿って」 (Ni Sotte): Following the Path in Japanese

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“along,” “in accordance with,” “following,” “according to”

🎯 Primary Function

To express that an action or situation proceeds or exists by strictly adhering to a certain standard, rule, plan, path, or guideline. It implies a sense of strict observance or conformity.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + に沿って (にそって)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Very common in business, academic, administrative, and legal contexts.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common; tends to sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversations.

✍️ Written Language

Highly frequent in official documents, reports, instructions, formal essays, and news articles.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, presentations, official announcements, or when explaining procedures strictly.

💡 Common Applications

Following Rules/Regulations
Indicates adherence to established rules, laws, or company policies.
Example: 会社の規定に沿って手続きを進める。(Kaisha no kitei ni sotte tetsuzuki wo susumeru.) – Proceed with the procedure according to company regulations.
Following Plans/Guidelines
Used when an action is performed strictly in line with a predetermined plan, guideline, or strategy.
Example: この計画に沿って、プロジェクトを進めてください。(Kono keikaku ni sotte, purojekuto wo susumete kudasai.) – Please proceed with the project according to this plan.
Following a Path/Route (Literal or Figurative)
Can describe moving physically along a line or path, or metaphorically following a direction or trend.
Example: 川に沿って歩くと、美しい景色が見えてくるでしょう。(Kawa ni sotte aruku to, utsukushii keshiki ga miete kuru deshou.) – If you walk along the river, you will see beautiful scenery.
📊
Frequency
Medium to high in formal and written contexts; less frequent in casual spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
この計画に沿って、プロジェクトを進めてください。
Please proceed with the project according to this plan.
川に沿って歩くと、美しい景色が見えてくるでしょう。
If you walk along the river, you will see beautiful scenery.
会社の規定に沿って、交通費を精算します。
We will settle travel expenses in accordance with company regulations.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Strict Adherence
「に沿って」 implies strict adherence or conformity to something. It is not just loosely “following,” but rather “sticking to” or “abiding by” a rule, plan, or path.
Example: 指示に沿って作業を行ってください。(Shiji ni sotte sagyou wo okonatte kudasai.) – Please perform the work strictly according to the instructions.
Attributive Form
When modifying a noun, 「に沿って」 changes to its attributive form, 「に沿った」.
Example: お客様の要望に沿ったサービスを提供します。(Okyakusama no youbou ni sotta sa-bisu wo teikyou shimasu.) – We will provide services that meet the customer’s demands.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using in informal contexts.
✅ Replace with more natural informal expressions like 「〜に合わせて」 (ni awasete) or 「〜のように」 (no you ni).
「に沿って」 carries a formal and somewhat rigid nuance, making it sound unnatural in casual conversation.
❌ Confusing with 「〜に基づいて」 (ni motozuite) when the meaning is “based on” data or facts.
✅ Use 「〜に基づいて」 when referring to a foundation or source of information for a judgment or action.
While both involve a basis, 「に沿って」 focuses on *following* something as a guide or directive, whereas 「〜に基づいて」 focuses on *using something as a foundation* for a judgment or decision. For instance, you *act* に沿って a plan, but you *decide* に基づいて facts.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally formal and polite, suitable for business, official, and academic settings. It conveys a sense of responsibility and professionalism.
Social Situations: Often heard in business meetings, formal instructions, legal discussions, news reports, and official documents where precision and adherence to standards are important.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations; it is a universally understood and used expression in standard formal Japanese.

🔍 Subtle Differences

に沿って vs. 〜に基づいて (ni motozuite)
「に沿って」 emphasizes following a rule, plan, or path, implying adherence or conformity. 「〜に基づいて」 emphasizes using something as a foundation or source for a decision or action.
When to use: Use 「に沿って」 when an action is being performed *in conformity* with something. Use 「〜に基づいて」 when something is *derived from* or *supported by* something else (e.g., data, facts, principles).
に沿って vs. 〜通りに (toori ni)
「に沿って」 implies adherence to a general guideline, path, or principle, often with abstract nouns like plans or policies. 「〜通りに」 implies following something exactly as it is, like precise instructions or a script.
When to use: Use 「に沿って」 for broader adherence to a concept or direction. Use 「〜通りに」 for direct, exact replication or conformity to specific instructions or a model.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

The primary form is Noun + に沿って. When modifying a noun, it changes to Noun + に沿った (e.g., 計画に沿った行動 – actions along the plan). The verb 沿う (sou) is a Godan verb meaning “to follow along,” “to run alongside.”

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

「にそって」 is pronounced “ni sotte.” The double ‘t’ (っ) indicates a sokuon, causing a brief glottal stop or pause before the “te” sound. Ensure a clear break to distinguish it from a single ‘t’ sound.

🧠 Memory Tips

Visualize a boat “沿って” (along) a river, or a train “沿って” (along) the tracks, always sticking to the path. Or, imagine a diligent person “沿って” (along) a rule book, carefully following every instruction.

Vocabulary List
計画
keikaku
plan
進める
susumeru
to proceed, to advance
川
kawa
river
歩く
aruku
to walk
美しい
utsukushii
beautiful
景色
keshiki
scenery
会社
company
Kanji List
沿
エン, そ.う
along, follow along
計
ケイ, はか.る
measure, plan
画
カク, えが.く
brush-stroke, plan, picture
進
シン, すす.む
advance, proceed
川
セン, かわ
river
歩
ホ, ある.く
walk
美
ビ, うつく.しい
beautiful
景
ケイ
scenery, view
色
ショク, いろ
color, appearance
会
カイ, あ.う
meeting, association
社
シャ, やしろ
company, shrine
Practice Exercises
次の文の（　　）に最も適切なものを選びなさい。 新しい安全基準（　　）製品の設計を見直す必要があります。
に基づいて
に沿って
のために
によって
次の文の（　　）に最も適切なものを選びなさい。 会社の規則（　　）行動してください。
に沿って
に向かって
に反して
のうちに
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