〜に沿って: Along / In Line With / In Accordance With
Tracing a line, literal or abstract
Physically, に沿って describes moving alongside something long and continuous. Abstractly, it describes following a plan, rule, or set of needs without deviating from it.
川に沿って歩くと、駅に着きます。
かわに そって あるくと、えきに つきます。
If you walk along the river, you'll reach the station.
Physical sense: tracing the riverbank.
会社の方針に沿って、新しい制度を導入した。
かいしゃの ほうしんに そって、あたらしい せいどを どうにゅうした。
In line with the company's policy, a new system was introduced.
Abstract sense: staying true to an existing plan.
Noun + に沿って, or に沿った before a noun
| Attaches to | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (before a verb/clause) | Nに沿って | 川に沿って歩く |
| Noun (before another noun) | Nに沿った + N | 方針に沿った対応 |
顧客のニーズに沿って商品を開発しています。
こきゃくの ニーズに そって しょうひんを かいはつしています。
We're developing products in line with customer needs.
やったんはもちのアイデアに沿って、旅行の計画を立てた。
やったんは もちの アイデアに そって、りょこうの けいかくを たてた。
Yattan drew up the travel plan following Mochi's idea.
Abstract 'in line with' — the plan didn't stray from Mochi's suggestion.
に沿って vs. に基づいて vs. にしたがって
All three can be translated "based on/following," but they picture different things. に沿って pictures tracing a line without deviating (a policy, a set of needs). に基づいて pictures a foundation something is built on (a law, data, a theory: 法律に基づいて判断する). にしたがって pictures obeying an instruction or a rule as it's given (規則にしたがって行動する). If a plan or set of guidelines already has a "shape" you're meant to follow, に沿って is usually the natural choice.
The short version
- 〜に沿って = "along" (physical) or "in line with / in accordance with" (abstract)
- Attaches to: a noun; becomes に沿った directly before another noun
- Nuance/register: implies tracking something with an existing shape or direction — a policy, a plan, a coastline
- Don't confuse with: に基づいて (based on a foundation) or にしたがって (obeying a rule/instruction)
Practice it
Pick に沿って when the sentence means following along a line, plan, or standard.
＿＿＿に入れるのに最もよいものを選びなさい。
＿＿＿、駅に着きます。
Where 〜に沿って fits
Shaky on this? Get these solid first
- 〜に行く · N5 — 〜に行く/来る/帰る says you go, come, or return somewhere to do something. Learn the ます-stem + に pattern, suru-nouns like 買い物に行く, and how to mark the place.
- 〜てください · N5 — 〜てください is the standard way to politely ask someone to do something ('please do…'). Learn the formation, the negative 〜ないでください, softer variations, and see clear examples.
More N2 grammar to explore
Keep going with related patterns at the same level:
- 〜に伴って — 〜に伴って attaches to a noun or a change verb and links two things that happen together — 'as X progresses/increases, Y also happens.' It's the formal, often written way to describe accompanying change, close to につれて.
- 〜につけ — 〜につけ attaches to the dictionary form of a verb, often paired as AにつけBにつけ, and means 'whenever/every time X happens, the same feeling or thought follows.' It usually precedes a verb of remembering, noticing, or feeling.
- 〜につれて — につれて links two changes that happen together: as one thing progresses, the other progresses along with it (収入が増すにつれて物欲も大きくなる). It marks a gradual, parallel change, not a single cause-and-effect moment.
- 〜にて — にて is the formal, written equivalent of で, marking location, time, or means (パーティーの席上にて、コミックマーケットにて). It's used in announcements, formal writing, and set classical phrases like 〜にあらず.
- 〜にわたって — 〜にわたって attaches to a range of time, distance, or scope to mean 'throughout' or 'spanning' — 広い地域にわたって (throughout a wide area). It emphasizes that something continued or extended across the entire range, not just a point within it.
- 〜のももっともだ — 〜のももっともだ follows a reason to mean 'it's only natural' or 'no wonder' — 約束を破られたのだから、怒るのももっともだ (given the broken promise, it's only natural to be angry). It expresses reasoned understanding, not just sympathy.