# に照らして: according to; in view of; in light of ~

> Learn how to use に照らして (NI TERASHITE), a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning 'according to; in view of; in light of ~', with formation, examples, comparisons, and practice.

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

**に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** means **according to; in view of; in light of ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that a judgement, decision, or action is made in accordance with a particular standard, principle, rule, or criterion.

This grammar point often appears in formal writing, official statements, essays, and news reports. If you want to express that a decision is measured against an abstract standard, **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** is a precise pattern that adds a layer of objective reasoning to your Japanese.

<div class="pullquote">
In Japanese, <strong>に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</strong> expresses that a judgement or action is made in light of a particular standard, principle, or rule — not just a casual opinion.
</div>

## What does に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て mean?

Use **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** when you want to express that something is judged, decided, or evaluated with a specific standard, principle, or criterion in mind. The reference point is not a fact or data as in “based on”, but an abstract yardstick.

Natural translations include:
- in light of ~
- according to ~ (with a nuance of objective standard)
- in view of ~

The register is neutral to formal, and it is used more often in writing and prepared speech than in casual conversation.

## How to form に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span>
</div>

The noun before に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て represents the standard or principle. It is usually an abstract noun like <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (law), <ruby>規則<rp>(</rp><rt>きそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (rule), <ruby>倫理<rp>(</rp><rt>りんり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (ethics), <ruby>基準<rp>(</rp><rt>きじゅん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (standard), or <ruby>実績<rp>(</rp><rt>じっせき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (track record).

In written Japanese you may also see the shortened form **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** when connecting two clauses, but に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て is the canonical form tested on the JLPT.

## When is に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て used?

Use **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** in situations like:
- evaluating an action or decision against formal rules (laws, company policies, regulations)
- making a judgement based on abstract principles (ethics, philosophy, guidelines)
- stating that a result is natural or expected in light of someone's past performance or achievements
- formal or official announcements, editorials, and reports

Tone and register:
- formal, often found in written Japanese and business contexts
- carries an objective, evaluative stance — the speaker is applying a standard, not expressing personal whim
- typical in JLPT N1 reading sections, especially passages about social issues or business ethics

## に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て example sentences

<div class="examples">
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>法律<rt>ほうりつ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らして<ruby>判断<rt>はんだん</rt></ruby>する。</div>
<div class="example-en">We will decide in light of the law.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">legal / formal written</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>会社<rt>かいしゃ</rt></ruby>の<ruby>規則<rt>きそく</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らして、それは<ruby>認<rt>みと</rt></ruby>められない。</div>
<div class="example-en">In light of the company’s rules, that cannot be approved.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">business / formal</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp">これまでの<ruby>実績<rt>じっせき</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らして、<ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>の<ruby>昇進<rt>しょうしん</rt></ruby>は<ruby>当然<rt>とうぜん</rt></ruby>だ。</div>
<div class="example-en">In light of his track record, his promotion is only natural.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">evaluative</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>倫理<rt>りんり</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らして、その<ruby>行動<rt>こうどう</rt></ruby>は<ruby>許<rt>ゆる</rt></ruby>されない。</div>
<div class="example-en">Ethically speaking, that action is unacceptable.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">formal / ethical judgement</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>現状<rt>げんじょう</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らして<ruby>考<rt>かんが</rt></ruby>えると、<ruby>計画<rt>けいかく</rt></ruby>の<ruby>見直<rt>みなお</rt></ruby>しが<ruby>必要<rt>ひつよう</rt></ruby>だ。</div>
<div class="example-en">Thinking about it in light of the current situation, the plan needs to be reviewed.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">business / neutral</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>学校<rt>がっこう</rt></ruby>の<ruby>理念<rt>りねん</rt></ruby>に<ruby>照<rt>て</rt></ruby>らし、<ruby>教育<rt>きょういく</rt></ruby><ruby>方針<rt>ほうしん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>決<rt>き</rt></ruby>める。</div>
<div class="example-en">We decide the educational policy in light of the school’s philosophy.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">written / official</span></div>
</div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what standard is being applied. Is it law, company rules, past performance, ethics? That makes the pattern easier to remember than a one-word English translation.

## Nuance of に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

The key nuance is **an objective standard, principle, or rule serves as the yardstick for judgement**. This gives the speaker’s statement an air of impartiality — you are not saying “I think”, but “the standard says”.

This matters because learners often translate に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て as simply “according to”, but that misses the implied weight of the reference point. The pattern carries an expectation that the standard is widely accepted or authoritative.

<div class="note-callout">
<div class="note-icon">💡</div>
<div class="note-body">When you use に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て, imagine you are holding up a measuring stick. The outcome is what the stick says, not your personal feeling.</div>
</div>

## に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て vs に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

Both **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** and **に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** can be translated as “based on” or “according to”, but the nature of the reference is different.

<div class="compare">
<div class="cmp a">
<div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">Reference is a standard, principle, or ideal</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Use when judging against an abstract yardstick</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>判断<rp>(</rp><rt>はんだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">Decide in light of the law.</div>
</div>
<div class="vs">VS</div>
<div class="cmp b">
<div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">Reference is concrete facts, data, or evidence</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Use when an action follows from factual grounds</div>
<div class="cmp-eg">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>する。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">Decide based on the data.</div>
</div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, check whether the noun is an abstract standard (law, principle, rule) or a concrete source (data, report, results). The former favours に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て, the latter に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.

## Common mistakes with に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="mistakes">
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>天気予報<rp>(</rp><rt>てんきよほう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>傘<rp>(</rp><rt>かさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>持っ<rp>(</rp><rt>もっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ていく。</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>天気予報<rp>(</rp><rt>てんきよほう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>傘<rp>(</rp><rt>かさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>持っ<rp>(</rp><rt>もっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ていく。</div>
</div>
<div class="note">A weather forecast is factual data, not an abstract standard.</div>
</div>
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>言う<rp>(</rp><rt>いう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ことに<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>決め<rp>(</rp><rt>きめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>言う<rp>(</rp><rt>いう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ことに<ruby>従っ<rp>(</rp><rt>したがっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>決め<rp>(</rp><rt>きめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
</div>
<div class="note">Following someone’s words requires に<ruby>従っ<rp>(</rp><rt>したがっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て; に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て demands an overarching principle.</div>
</div>
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark bad">❌</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>考える<rp>(</rp><rt>かんがえる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。</div>
</div>
<div class="mline">
<div class="mark good">✅</div>
<div class="mline-body"><ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>考える<rp>(</rp><rt>かんがえる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。</div>
</div>
<div class="note">Again, a mere fact is not a standard; “<ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>” calls for に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</div>
</div>
</div>

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て**, then rewrite it with **に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て**. If the nuance changes from abstract standard to factual basis, you’ve used the right pattern.

## Is に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
<div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
<div class="jlpt-info">
<p><strong>に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</strong> is firmly a <strong>JLPT N1</strong> grammar point. It appears less frequently than N2 staples, but it is tested in the reading section — especially passages dealing with law, ethics, or institutional rules.</p>
</div>
<div class="jlpt-checks">
<p>On the test you should be able to:</p>
<ul>
<li>recognize に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て in a formal text and understand that a standard is being applied</li>
<li>choose the correct noun to place before it (an abstract concept, not a concrete thing)</li>
<li>distinguish it from patterns like に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て or によって in multiple‑choice questions</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>

For test preparation, study に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て in full sentences taken from editorials or business sections of news sites. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="prompts">
<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">1</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Use に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て to explain why a certain behaviour is not allowed at your workplace. Think of a company rule or ethical guideline as the standard.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">formal / workplace</div>
</div>
<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">2</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where a promotion decision is justified by the candidate’s past track record. Use に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">evaluative</div>
</div>
<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">3</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Compare に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て and に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て by creating a pair of examples with the same verb. Explain why one noun takes に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て and the other takes に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">comparison</div>
</div>
<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">4</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Imagine you are the head of a committee. Announce a policy change and justify it に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て the committee’s founding principles.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">formal announcement</div>
</div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the objective standard becomes clear.

## Learning path for に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

To learn **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** efficiently, start with its formation, then build awareness of its abstract-standard requirement, and finally produce your own examples.

<div class="path">
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">1</div>
<div class="step-body"><strong>Master the form.</strong> Confirm you can attach に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て to common abstract nouns: <ruby>法律<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうりつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>規則<rp>(</rp><rt>きそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>基準<rp>(</rp><rt>きじゅん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>倫理<rp>(</rp><rt>りんり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. Write ten nouns and check they all express a standard, not a fact.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">2</div>
<div class="step-body"><strong>Distinguish に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て from に<ruby>基づい<rp>(</rp><rt>もとづい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</strong> Write five sentence pairs where the verb stays the same but the noun switches between a standard and a data source. Observe how the nuance shifts.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">3</div>
<div class="step-body"><strong>Read for exposure.</strong> Find news articles or company statements that contain に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て. Underline the noun before it and summarise what standard is being applied.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">4</div>
<div class="step-body"><strong>Create original scenarios.</strong> Write three sentences about real-life decisions (at work, in a club, in a family) that are measured against a rule or principle. Have a tutor or language partner check them.</div>
</div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because the particle に itself marks a reference point; seeing it in simpler contexts helps you understand the abstract targeting in に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.
- [に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because it also evaluates something against a standard, but focuses on worthiness rather than procedural judgement.
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it sets a situational frame or condition, often acting as a background for a judgement similar to those made に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.
- [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it contrasts with a standard or expectation, a natural next step once you are comfortable evaluating something against a principle.

## Learn に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て with Hane

If you want to review **に<ruby>照らし<rp>(</rp><rt>てらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practise Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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