に従って (ni shitagatte) Meaning Japanese Grammar - According To
Anna Baffa Volpe
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Anna Baffa Volpe
5 min reading time
The expression に従って (ni shitagatte) means according to following, in accordance with, as, conform to, in line with, in compliance with.
In this post, we will explore the meaning of に従って, how it is formed and when it is used through common phrases.
We will also look at the single verb 従う, which means respect or comply with and its negative form 従わない meaning violate or not comply with.
I will include in the post a list of nouns that can be used with に従って.
How and when に従って is used
に従って is a formal expression in Japanese and indicates something that should be adhered to and followed; it can be a regulation, an order, an instruction, a direction from a guide, a person, a company, etc.
The phrase or expression A expresses what is to be followed or conformed to.
この契約に従って、あなたは支払いをする必要があります。
You must make a payment, in accordance with this contract.
指示に従って作業を進めてください。
Proceed with the work following the instructions.
How to form に従って
に従って is formed:
- by the particle に
- by the て form of the verb 従う meaning
obey,follow,conform to - the synonim of 従う is the verb 服従する :
obey,be compliant with
に従って is used with Verbs and Nouns.
We can also find the form に従い with the Base in い of the verb 従う and is considered more formal.
頂上に近づくに従い風が強くなる。
The wind gets stronger as we approach the top.
The expression is often transcribed in hiragana にしたがって.
知っている単語が増えるにしたがって、聞き取り能力も上がってきます。
As the number of words you know increases, your listening ability will improve as well.
本心に従って生きる。
Live according to your true feelings.
直感に従って生きよう！それが真の自分の人生。
Live according to your intuition! That is your true life.
Nouns used with に従って
Here is a short list of nouns commonly used with the expression に従って:
- 規定にしたがって: in accordance with the
regulations - 法則にしたがって: according to the
law - 指示にしたがって: according to the
instructions - 手順にしたがって: according to the
procedures - 説明にしたがって: according to the
instructions - 案内にしたがって: following the
instructions
に従わない: disobey, violate
The negative form of the verb従う is 従わない and is used with the meaning of: not to follow, not to comply, to violate.
彼は会社の禁止事項に従わないために、処分を受けることになった。
He was disciplined for violating the company's policy.
Examples of に従って
法律に従って、すべての市民は平等である。
According to the law, all citizens are equal.
For lovers and scholars of mathematical analysis:
導関数の定義に従って微分しよう。
Differentiate a function using the definition of a derivative.
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