connective N2 common writtenpolite
〜に沿って — along ~
〜に沿って ・ にそって
Meaning
① physical: along ~ — running parallel to a line, path, or edge
② conformity: in line with ~ / in keeping with ~ — following a plan, policy, or guideline
Key sentence
① physical
川に沿って、桜の木が並んでいる。
Cherry trees line the river, running along its bank.
② conformity
計画に沿って、作業を進める。
We'll proceed with the work in line with the plan.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + に沿って (adnominal に沿った + N) | N + に沿って | 方針に沿って / マニュアルに沿った対応 |
Examples
① physical
この道に沿って行くと、駅に着きます。
If you go along this road, you'll reach the station.
② conformity
ご要望に沿えるよう、努力いたします。
We'll do our best to meet your requests.
Easily confused with
Notes
- 沿う = 'to run alongside'. The conformity sense pairs with 方針・計画・希望・期待, and often appears as に沿える ('to be able to meet ~').
See 〜に沿って in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜に沿って the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.