Translation guide
A guide to expressing 'according to' in Japanese, covering how to cite sources, report hearsay, and indicate basis or standards.
天気予報によると、雨が降るそうです。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain.
ルールに従って。
According to the rules.
To say that something is true based on what a person, report, or other source says.
Used to cite a specific source of information. N is the source (person, newspaper, data, etc.). The following clause states what the source says.
天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
彼の話によると、事故は深夜に起きたらしい。
According to his story, the accident happened late at night.
A more formal or written variant of によると. Interchangeable in most contexts.
報告書によれば、売上は前年比10%増加した。
According to the report, sales increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
Used specifically when citing what someone said. More conversational than によると.
田中さんの話では、会議は延期になったそうです。
According to Mr. Tanaka, the meeting has been postponed.
To convey something you heard from an unspecified source or what people generally say.
Hearsay marker. Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns + だ. Indicates you are reporting something you heard. Do not confuse with the 'looks like' そうだ (stem + そうだ).
Do not use そうだ for your own direct experience or when you are the source. It is only for secondhand information.
彼は来年留学するそうだ。
I heard he's going to study abroad next year.
あの店はとてもおいしいそうだ。
I heard that restaurant is really good.
Conjecture or hearsay based on some evidence or general impression. Softer than そうだ. Can also express 'it seems that'.
彼はもう帰ったらしい。
It seems he already went home. / I heard he already went home.
Formal/written hearsay. Often used in news or reports. Literally 'it is that...'.
来月から電気料金が上がるということだ。
It is said that electricity rates will go up from next month.
To say that something is done following a rule, instruction, or standard.
Means 'following' or 'in accordance with' rules, instructions, customs, etc. Implies obedience or adherence.
法律に従って行動しなければならない。
You must act according to the law.
指示に従って作業を進めてください。
Please proceed with the work according to the instructions.
Means 'based on' facts, data, evidence, or standards. More objective than に従って.
データに基づいて判断する。
Make a decision based on the data.
事実に基づいて話してください。
Please speak according to the facts.
Means 'exactly as' or 'in the way of'. Used when following a model, example, or instruction precisely.
説明書の通りに組み立てた。
I assembled it according to the manual.
To express that something changes or is decided based on a condition.
Means 'depending on' or 'according to'. Used when the outcome varies based on the noun.
人によって考え方が違う。
Opinions differ according to the person.
天気によって予定を変えるかもしれません。
We might change our plans depending on the weather.
Similar to によって but emphasizes that the result is contingent on N. Often used with 変わる or 決まる.
努力次第で結果は変わる。
Results change according to your effort.
によると explicitly names the source (e.g., 新聞によると). そうだ simply marks hearsay without naming the source. Use によると when you want to attribute information to a specific source.
新聞によると、事件は解決したそうだ。
According to the newspaper, the case has been solved.
Hearsay そうだ attaches to the plain form (e.g., 降るそうだ 'I heard it will rain'). The 'looks like' そうだ attaches to the verb stem (e.g., 降りそうだ 'It looks like it will rain').