～に沿って — Following the Line
Means 'along' or 'in line with', indicating movement or action that follows a physical line (a river, road) or an abstract guideline (a plan, policy, wishes). The core image is not deviating from a set course. It is common in formal and business contexts when acting according to guidelines.
Structure
[Noun] + に沿って（に沿い／に沿った＋Noun）
Examples
川に沿って歩いた。
Kawa ni sotte aruita.
I walked along the river.
Physical line: 川 (river) + に沿って
計画に沿って作業を進めます。
Keikaku ni sotte sagyou wo susumemasu.
We will proceed with the work in line with the plan.
Abstract guideline: 計画 (plan) + に沿って
お客様のご要望に沿った商品を開発する。
Okyakusama no goyoubou ni sotta shouhin wo kaihatsu suru.
We develop products that meet customers' requests.
に沿った is the noun-modifying form ('that follow ~')
• Works for both physical lines (roads, rivers) and abstract standards (plans, policies, wishes). • Use に沿った before a noun, に沿って before a verb. • Register: formal, common in business and official writing.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～に沿って is tested against.
vs に従って
に従って (obey) emphasizes complying with rules/instructions or proportional change; に沿って emphasizes staying aligned with a guideline, plan, or line without deviating.
vs を通じて
を通じて means 'through / via' a medium; に沿って means moving along or in accordance with a set course.
More formal expressions
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