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に従って (ni shitagatte) Meaning Japanese Grammar - According To

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'に従って (ni shitagatte) Meaning Japanese Grammar - According To'

Anna Baffa Volpe

The expression に従(したが)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(したが)って, how it is formed and when it is used through common phrases.

We will also look at the single verb 従(したが)う, which means respect or comply with and its negative form 従(したが)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(したが)って.

How and when に従って is used

に従(したが)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.

Phrase A - Expression+に従(したが)って+Phrase B

The phrase or expression A expresses what is to be followed or conformed to.

この契(けい)約(やく)に従(したが)って、あなたは支(し)払(はら)いをする必(ひつ)要(よう)があります。

You must make a payment, in accordance with this contract.

指(し)示(じ)に従(したが)って作(さ)業(ぎょう)を進(すす)めてください。

Proceed with the work following the instructions.

How to form に従(したが)って

に従(したが)って is formed:

  • by the particle に
  • by the て form of the verb 従(したが)う meaning obey, follow, conform to
  • the synonim of 従(したが)う is the verb 服(ふく)従(じゅう)する : obey, be compliant with

に従(したが)って is used with Verbs and Nouns.

We can also find the form に従(したが)い with the Base in い of the verb 従(したが)う and is considered more formal.

Verb in the Dictionary Form+に従(したが)って+Phrase

頂(ちょう)上(じょう)に近(ちか)づくに従(したが)い風(かぜ)が強(つよ)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(し)っている単(たん)語(ご)が増(ま)えるにしたがって、聞(き)き取(と)り能(のう)力(りょく)も上(あ)がってきます。

As the number of words you know increases, your listening ability will improve as well.

Noun+に従(したが)って+Phrase

本(ほん)心(しん)に従(したが)って生(い)きる。

Live according to your true feelings.

Live according to your intuition! That is your true life.
直(ちょっ)感(かん): intuition, instinct

直(ちょっ)感(かん)に従(したが)って生(い)きよう！それが真(ま)の自(じ)分(ぶん)の人(じん)生(せい)。

Live according to your intuition! That is your true life.

Nouns used with に従(したが)って

Here is a short list of nouns commonly used with the expression に従(したが)って:

  • 規(き)定(てい)にしたがって: in accordance with the regulations
  • 法(ほう)則(そく)にしたがって: according to the law
  • 指(し)示(じ)にしたがって: according to the instructions
  • 手(て)順(じゅん)にしたがって: according to the procedures
  • 説(せつ)明(めい)にしたがって: according to the instructions
  • 案(あん)内(ない)にしたがって: following the instructions

に従(したが)わない: disobey, violate

The negative form of the verb従(したが)う is 従(したが)わない and is used with the meaning of: not to follow, not to comply, to violate.

彼(かれ)は会(かい)社(しゃ)の禁(きん)止(し)事(じ)項(こう)に従(したが)わないために、処(しょ)分(ぶん)を受(う)けることになった。

He was disciplined for violating the company's policy.

Examples of に従って

法(ほう)律(りつ)に従(したが)って、すべての市(し)民(みん)は平(へい)等(とう)である。

According to the law, all citizens are equal.

japanesegrammar
指示: indication, instruction

For lovers and scholars of mathematical analysis:

Differentiate a function using the definition of a derivative.
導(どう)関(かん)数(すう): the derivative

導(どう)関(かん)数(すう)の定(てい)義(ぎ)に従(したが)って微(び)分(ぶん)しよう。

Differentiate a function using the definition of a derivative.

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