N2 Basis, Topic, and Response

~に沿そって: meaning, usage and examples

~に沿そって means: along... / in accordance with...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 規則きそくに沿そって、行動こうどうしてください。

   Please act in accordance with the rules.

2. 川かわに沿そって、道みちが続つづいている。

   The road continues along the river.

3. 海岸かいがんに沿そって、きれいな遊歩道ゆうほどうが続つづいています。

   A beautiful walking path runs along the coast.

4. 会社かいしゃの方針ほうしんに沿そった計画けいかくを立たててください。

   Please make a plan that follows the company's policy.

When to use it

Has two uses. Physically, it means moving or lying along something long, like a river, road or coast: 川かわに沿そって歩あるく (walk along the river). Abstractly, it means following a plan, policy, wish or manual closely: 方針ほうしんに沿そって進すすめる (proceed in line with the policy). Both describe staying close to a line.

Nuance

Neutral to formal; the abstract use is common in business and official writing (マニュアルに沿そって, ご希望きぼうに沿そって). It suggests matching or not straying from something, not strict obedience. Before a noun use に沿そった: 目的もくてきに沿そった計画けいかく.

Compare

に従したがって stresses obeying an order or rule: 指示しじに従したがって. に基もとづいて stresses a firm basis such as data or law: データに基もとづいて判断はんだんする. に沿そって stresses matching a plan or line: 予定よていに沿そって進すすめる. ご希望きぼうに沿そえず (unable to meet your wishes) is a set polite phrase.

Tip: Picture a line you walk beside: a river, a schedule, a manual. That image covers both meanings of に沿そって.