によると / よれば

によると / よれば means according to. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to cite a source of information.

This grammar point often appears in neutral to formal Japanese. If you want to cite a source of information, によると / よれば is a useful pattern to learn.

What does によると / よれば mean?

Use によると / よれば when you want to cite a source of information.

Natural translations include:

• according to
• according to
• according to

How to form によると / よれば

Noun + によると / Noun + よれば

Examples of the pattern:

• 天気予報によると
• ニュースよれば
• 先生によると

When is によると / よれば used?

Use によると / よれば in situations like:

• reporting news
• citing forecasts or research
• sharing information from another person

Tone and register:

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

によると / よれば example sentences

• 天気予報によると、明日は雨です。 — According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
• ニュースよれば、電車が遅れているそうです。 — According to the news, the train is delayed.
• 先生によると、この表現はN3でよく出るそうです。 — According to the teacher, this expression often appears at N3.
• 調査によると、利用者が増えています。 — According to the survey, users are increasing.
• 彼の話よれば、会議は中止になった。 — According to what he said, the meeting was canceled.

Nuance of によると / よれば

The key nuance is source citation; the speaker is reporting information from elsewhere.

This matters because によると / よれば 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 によって, it has a different focus and level of formality.

によると / よれば vs によって

Both によると / よれば and によって can appear in related situations, but they are different.

によると / よれば:

• means according to
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

によって:

• によって can mean by/due to/by means of; によると specifically cites an information source

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 天気予報によると、明日は雨です。 — According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
• Compare: Try replacing it with によって and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with によると / よれば

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it without a source
• Confusing it with cause/reason によって
• Forgetting hearsay endings like そうだ often appear with it

Is によると / よれば on the JLPT?

Yes. によると / よれば 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 によると / よれば

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Report tomorrow’s weather forecast.
• Cite a survey result.
• Say according to your teacher, it is important.

Learning path for によると / よれば

To learn によると / よれば efficiently, review basic particles like について and に, then focus on the relationship each formal marker creates.

1. First, make sure you can form によると / よれば without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with に対して（にたいして）, にとって. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write reading-style sentences about society, research, policy, opinions, and reports; then check whether replacing によると / よれば with について changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• に対して（にたいして） — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• にとって — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• について — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• に関する / に関して — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.

Learn によると / よれば with Hane

If you want to review によると / よれば 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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