にしたがって

にしたがって means as; in accordance with; according to. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to show that one change follows another, or that an action follows a rule or instruction.

This grammar point often appears in neutral to formal Japanese. If you want to show that one change follows another, or that an action follows a rule or instruction, にしたがって is a useful pattern to learn.

What does にしたがって mean?

Use にしたがって when you want to show that one change follows another, or that an action follows a rule or instruction.

Natural translations include:

• as; in accordance with; according to
• as
• as / in accordance with / according to

How to form にしたがって

Verb dictionary + にしたがって / Noun + にしたがって

Examples of the pattern:

• 年を取るにしたがって
• 説明にしたがって
• 規則にしたがって

When is にしたがって used?

Use にしたがって in situations like:

• changes that happen together
• following rules or instructions
• formal explanations of cause and development

Tone and register:

• neutral to formal
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

にしたがって example sentences

• 年を取るにしたがって、体力が落ちてきた。 — As I get older, my physical strength has declined.
• 説明にしたがって、アプリを設定してください。 — Please set up the app according to the instructions.
• 台風が近づくにしたがって、雨が強くなった。 — As the typhoon approached, the rain became stronger.
• 規則にしたがって、手続きを行います。 — We will carry out the procedure in accordance with the rules.
• 時間が経つにしたがって、不安が大きくなった。 — As time passed, my anxiety grew.

Nuance of にしたがって

The key nuance is a formal sense of following a rule or parallel change.

This matters because にしたがって does more than translate one English phrase. It shows how the speaker connects ideas, evaluates a situation, or frames the sentence for the listener.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with につれて, it has a different focus and level of formality.

にしたがって vs につれて

Both にしたがって and につれて can appear in related situations, but they are different.

にしたがって:

• means as; in accordance with; according to
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

につれて:

• につれて focuses on natural proportional change; にしたがって can also mean following rules, instructions, or authority

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 年を取るにしたがって、体力が落ちてきた。 — As I get older, my physical strength has declined.
• Compare: Try replacing it with につれて and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with にしたがって

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it for casual “because” sentences
• Forgetting that the first clause often describes gradual change
• Confusing the rule-following meaning with につれて

Is にしたがって on the JLPT?

Yes. にしたがって is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for にしたがって

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say anxiety grew as time passed.
• Tell someone to follow instructions.
• Describe sales rising as popularity grows.

Learning path for にしたがって

To learn にしたがって efficiently, start with simple change expressions, then practice two linked clauses where one change naturally follows another.

1. First, make sure you can form にしたがって without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with につれて, ば～ほど. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about age, weather, prices, habits, or gradual progress; then check whether replacing にしたがって with 一方だ（いっぽうだ） changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• につれて — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• ば～ほど — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• 一方だ（いっぽうだ） — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• ようになる — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.

Learn にしたがって with Hane

If you want to review にしたがって together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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