Translation guide
To act in accordance with a rule, request, or standard. In Japanese, the most natural expression depends on what is being complied with.
To obey or adhere to an official rule, law, or regulation.
General phrase meaning 'to follow rules'. 従う (したがう) is the most common verb for complying with rules or instructions.
会社の規則に従わなければなりません。
You must comply with the company rules.
Literally 'to protect the law', meaning to obey or comply with the law. 守る (まもる) is very common for laws and regulations.
私たちは法律を守る義務がある。
We have a duty to comply with the law.
Formal term meaning 'to observe' or 'comply with'. Often used in legal or official contexts.
契約条件を遵守してください。
Please comply with the terms of the contract.
Casual equivalent of 'follow the rules'. ルール is a loanword from English.
ゲームのルールを守ってね。
Make sure you comply with the game rules.
To do what someone asks or orders you to do.
Used when complying with instructions or directions from a superior or authority.
上司の指示に従ってください。
Please comply with your boss's instructions.
Means 'to comply with a request' or 'to meet a demand'. 応じる (おうじる) implies responding positively to a request.
彼は私たちの要求に応じた。
He complied with our request.
Specifically for complying with orders or commands.
兵士は命令に従わなければならない。
Soldiers must comply with orders.
Casual phrase meaning 'to do as one is told' or 'to comply with what someone says'.
子供が親の言うことを聞かない。
The child doesn't comply with what the parents say.
To satisfy a set of criteria or specifications.
Means 'to meet a standard'. 満たす (みたす) is used for fulfilling requirements or conditions.
この製品は安全基準を満たしています。
This product complies with safety standards.
Used for meeting requirements or conditions, often in formal contexts.
応募者はすべての要件を満たす必要があります。
Applicants must comply with all requirements.
Technical term for conforming to specifications or standards, often used in engineering or manufacturing.
この部品は規格に適合していない。
This part does not comply with the specifications.
To go along with what someone wants, often in a personal context.
Means 'to comply with someone's wishes' or 'to meet their hopes'. 沿う (そう) implies aligning with expectations.
できるだけご希望に沿うようにします。
We will try to comply with your wishes as much as possible.
Formal expression for complying with someone's intentions or will.
彼は両親の意向に従って進路を決めた。
He decided his career path complying with his parents' wishes.
従う (したがう) means 'to follow' and is used for rules, instructions, or orders. 守る (まもる) means 'to protect' and is used for laws, promises, or rules that must be upheld. 守る implies a stronger sense of duty.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'comply'. Avoid directly translating 'comply with' as a fixed phrase. Instead, choose the appropriate verb based on what is being complied with (rules, requests, standards, etc.).