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JLPT N3Formal Expressions

～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.

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Pro lessonUNIT 69 · FORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Noun] + に沿って（に沿い／に沿った＋Noun）

Examples · 例文

  • 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 ~')

Usage notes · 注意

  • 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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