# に即して: according to; in keeping with; to be based on ~

> Learn how to use に即して, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning according to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-sokushite/

**に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** means **according to; in keeping with; to be based on ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an action or decision is made in strict conformity with a concrete situation, reality, or fact.

This grammar point often appears in formal essays, news reports, business documents, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to stress that an idea isn’t just abstract but grounded in actual circumstances, **に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds a level of precision and formality.

## What does に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て mean?

Use **に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** when you want to express that something is **based on and faithfully follows** a concrete, real-world situation — not a vague principle or a theoretical rule. It highlights that the action aligns with facts, conditions, or practical realities.

Natural translations include:
- according to (actual circumstances)
- in keeping with
- based on (the specific reality)
- in line with (the facts)

The best translation depends on the sentence. Always check what kind of noun precedes に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て — if it’s something like <ruby>実情<rp>(</rp><rt>じつじょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (actual situation), <ruby>現実<rp>(</rp><rt>げんじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (reality), or <ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (fact), the nuance of “conformity to real conditions” is strong.

## How to form に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-core">Noun</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-core">Noun</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た</span>
    <span class="farrow">→</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core">+ Noun</span>
  </div>
</div>

The noun before に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is typically a word that represents a concrete situation, law, or condition:
- <ruby>実情<rp>(</rp><rt>じつじょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (actual state) + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て
- <ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (fact) + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て
- <ruby>現実<rp>(</rp><rt>げんじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (reality) + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て
- <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (law) + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て
- <ruby>規則<rp>(</rp><rt>きそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (rule) + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た (as a noun modifier)

The pattern に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た attaches to a noun to describe something “adapted to” or “in keeping with” that concrete reality. For example, <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た<ruby>対応<rp>(</rp><rt>たいおう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (a response in line with the law).

## When is に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て used?

Use **に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** in situations like:
- formal arguments that need to show evidence-based reasoning
- business or administrative judgments that must respect real-world conditions
- news reports or academic writing emphasizing factual accuracy
- instructions or guidelines that must be applied with flexibility, not rigidly

Tone and register:
- formal to highly formal; mostly written
- common in JLPT N1 reading, editorials, and official documents
- rarely used in casual conversation; would feel stiff and overly serious

## に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>現状<rt>げんじょう</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>して<ruby>計画<rt>けいかく</rt></ruby>を<ruby>見直<rt>みなお</rt></ruby>した。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">We revised the plan in light of the current situation.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>実情<rt>じつじょう</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>した<ruby>政策<rt>せいさく</rt></ruby>が<ruby>求<rt>もと</rt></ruby>められている。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">Policies that are in keeping with the actual situation are required.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>事実<rt>じじつ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>して<ruby>判断<rt>はんだん</rt></ruby>する<ruby>姿勢<rt>しせい</rt></ruby>が<ruby>大事<rt>だいじ</rt></ruby>だ。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">A stance of judging based on facts is important.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>法律<rt>ほうりつ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>して<ruby>処分<rt>しょぶん</rt></ruby>が<ruby>行<rt>おこな</rt></ruby>われた。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">The measure was carried out in accordance with the law.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>国際<rt>こくさい</rt></ruby><ruby>基準<rt>きじゅん</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>した<ruby>製品<rt>せいひん</rt></ruby><ruby>開発<rt>かいはつ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>進<rt>すす</rt></ruby>めている。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">We are advancing product development in line with international standards.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">
      <ruby>現場<rt>げんば</rt></ruby>の<ruby>声<rt>こえ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>即<rt>そく</rt></ruby>した<ruby>改善案<rt>かいぜんあん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>提出<rt>ていしゅつ</rt></ruby>した。
    </p>
    <p class="example-en">I submitted an improvement plan faithful to the voices from the field.</p>
    <p class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">N1</span></p>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

The key nuance of **に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** is **concrete grounding, not abstract reasoning**. Even when you see it with words like <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (law) or <ruby>規則<rp>(</rp><rt>きそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (rule), the emphasis is on applying those rules faithfully to a specific real-world case — not just mentioning the rule itself.

This matters because learners often default to に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て (based on) in all “basis” situations. But に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て carries a stronger implication that the situation is complex and requires careful alignment. It’s not just “I based my opinion on data”; it’s “I made sure every detail matched the reality as it actually is.”

In many N1 questions, you’ll be asked to pick between several に～ patterns. に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て often wins when the context stresses “actual conditions” over “a general foundation.”

<aside class="note-callout">
  <span class="note-icon">💡</span>
  <span class="note-body">Think of に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て as “to the tune of reality” — something is shaped to fit the real melody, not just based on a static score.</span>
</aside>

## に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て vs に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

The nearest confusable pattern is **に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** (also N2), so a direct comparison helps lock in the difference.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <p class="cmp-head">に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</p>
    <p class="cmp-sub">“conforms to a real situation”</p>
    <p class="cmp-when">When you want to stress that an action or judgment is tailored to actual facts or circumstances, not just derived from general principles.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <p class="cmp-head">に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</p>
    <p class="cmp-sub">“based on (as a foundation)”</p>
    <p class="cmp-when">When you simply state the source or basis of an action — it may be data, a rule, a belief — without the nuance of careful conformity to reality.</p>
  </div>
</div>

Quick contrast examples:

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp-eg">
    <p class="cmp-eg-jp"><ruby>実情<rp>(</rp><rt>じつじょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>判断<rp>(</rp><rt>はんだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">I judged in accordance with the actual situation. (implies a complex, specific reality was carefully followed)</p>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp-eg">
    <p class="cmp-eg-jp">データに<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>判断<rp>(</rp><rt>はんだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">I judged based on data. (states the source; doesn’t by itself imply the data perfectly reflected reality or that judgment was tailored)</p>
  </div>
</div>

If you are tempted to use に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て, ask: “Am I talking about conforming to a concrete, messy real-world situation?” If yes, に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is likely correct. If you’re just naming a theoretical framework, に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is enough.

## Common mistakes with に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>考え<rp>(</rp><rt>かんがえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>行動<rp>(</rp><rt>こうどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>現実<rp>(</rp><rt>げんじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>行動<rp>(</rp><rt>こうどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。</span>
    </div>
    <p class="note"><ruby>考え<rp>(</rp><rt>かんがえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (thought) is too abstract; <ruby>現実<rp>(</rp><rt>げんじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (reality) or <ruby>実情<rp>(</rp><rt>じつじょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is the correct concrete noun.</p>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>計画<rp>(</rp><rt>けいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>予算<rp>(</rp><rt>よさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>立て<rp>(</rp><rt>たて</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>実態<rp>(</rp><rt>じったい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>予算<rp>(</rp><rt>よさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>立て<rp>(</rp><rt>たて</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span>
    </div>
    <p class="note"><ruby>計画<rp>(</rp><rt>けいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (plan) is itself a human-made outline; you’d rather use に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て here, unless the plan is treated as the “reality” to follow (rare). The pattern に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て prefers words like <ruby>実態<rp>(</rp><rt>じったい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (actual state).</p>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>沿っ<rp>(</rp><rt>そっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>てを<ruby>使っ<rp>(</rp><rt>つかっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>てしまい、<ruby>硬<rp>(</rp><rt>かた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>さが<ruby>出<rp>(</rp><rt>で</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>厳格<rp>(</rp><rt>げんかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>対処<rp>(</rp><rt>たいしょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</span>
    </div>
    <p class="note">に<ruby>沿っ<rp>(</rp><rt>そっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is softer, often “along, in line with,” while に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is firmer and formal. Choose に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て for serious, concrete alignment.</p>
  </div>
</div>

## Is に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <ul class="jlpt-checks">
      <li>Appears in N1 grammar and reading sections</li>
      <li>Often tested alongside other に～ patterns (に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て, に<ruby>沿っ<rp>(</rp><rt>そっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て, に<ruby>則っ<rp>(</rp><rt>のっとっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て)</li>
      <li>Expect the question to hinge on whether the noun is concrete (situation, fact, conditions)</li>
      <li>You may see the に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た+N form in cloze questions</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1.</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Use に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て in a sentence about a company adapting to new regulations. Make the noun clearly concrete (e.g., <ruby>法令<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうれい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>実情<rp>(</rp><rt>じつじょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>).</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">N1</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2.</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where a reporter describes a news article written “in keeping with the facts.”</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">N1</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3.</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Create a minimal pair using に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て and に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て with the same following verb. Explain how the meaning shifts.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">N1</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4.</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Imagine a project that ignored on‑the‑ground reality. Write a sentence criticizing that, using に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">N1</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <span class="step-body">First, memorize the form: Noun + に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て (or に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た + Noun). Recognize that the noun must be a tangible condition, not an idea.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <span class="step-body">Next, read several N1-level editorials or news articles that use に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て. Notice the nouns (<ruby>現実<rp>(</rp><rt>げんじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) and the verbs (<ruby>判断<rp>(</rp><rt>はんだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, <ruby>行動<rp>(</rp><rt>こうどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, <ruby>見直す<rp>(</rp><rt>みなおす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>).</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <span class="step-body">Then, compare it with に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て and に<ruby>沿っ<rp>(</rp><rt>そっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て. Write short paragraphs that force a choice — a sentence that would be unnatural with the alternatives.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <span class="step-body">Finally, craft a formal argument (even just one paragraph) on a current topic, deliberately using に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て to sound grounded and authoritative. Check with a native speaker or tutor if possible.</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — foundational particle; understanding its general direction/basis uses helps with compound forms
- [に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — “is worthy of”; also conveys alignment (of value), but from a different angle
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — “being in a situation”; often shares formal, situational contexts
- [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — “in contrast to”; another N1 compound that operates on concrete situations

## Learn に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て with Hane

If you want to review **に<ruby>即し<rp>(</rp><rt>そくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** together with these related N1 patterns, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)