connective N2 common writtenpolite

〜に沿って — along ~

〜に沿ってにそって

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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
Cherry trees line the river, running along its bank.
② conformity
We'll proceed with the work in line with the plan.

Formation

Attaches toFormExample
Noun + に沿って (adnominal に沿った + N) N + に沿って 方針ほうしんに沿そって / マニュアルに沿そった対応たいおう

Examples

① physical
If you go along this road, you'll reach the station.
② conformity
We'll do our best to meet your requests.

Easily confused with

に従って に従って = 'following / obeying' an instruction or order (a rule one complies with); に沿って = 'keeping alongside / in keeping with' a line, plan, or wish — staying parallel to it rather than submitting to it. Only に沿って works for physical 'along a river'.

Notes

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 Jengo

Sources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.

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