Translation guide
How to express 'following' in Japanese, covering meanings like 'next in order', 'coming after in time', 'the group mentioned below', and 'adhering to rules'.
Please answer the following question.
Used in formal or written contexts to mean 'the following' (literally 'below'). Often used in documents or presentations.
以下の点に注意してください。
Please pay attention to the following points.
Describing something that happens or exists after something else.
Used in compounds like 翌日 (the following day), 翌週 (the following week), etc. Very common for time expressions.
翌日、彼は帰国した。
The following day, he returned to his country.
翌週の月曜日に会議があります。
There is a meeting on Monday of the following week.
Means 'later' or 'subsequent'. Can be used for 'the following' in a sequence of events.
後の祭り
Too late; the following festival (idiom)
後の話で詳しく説明します。
I'll explain in detail in the following story.
Verb meaning 'to continue' or 'to follow'. Can be used in the form 続く〜 to mean 'the following...' in certain contexts.
Referring to a list or set of items that will be presented.
Formal written term meaning 'the following' (literally 'written below'). Common in business documents and emails.
下記の通りです。
It is as follows.
下記の日程で開催します。
It will be held on the following schedule.
A slightly less formal alternative to 下記の通り, meaning 'as follows'.
結果は次の通りです。
The results are as follows.
Acting in accordance with something, such as rules, orders, or customs.
Verb meaning 'to follow' (rules, orders, instructions). Often used in the form 〜に従って.
ルールに従ってください。
Please follow the rules.
指示に従って行動した。
I acted following the instructions.
Means 'to protect' or 'to observe', used for following rules, promises, or traditions.
Pattern meaning 'along with' or 'in accordance with', used for following guidelines, plans, or policies.
計画に沿って進める。
Proceed following the plan.
Moving behind or going after someone/something.
Verb meaning 'to chase' or 'to follow'. Used for physically following someone or something.
彼は私を追ってきた。
He came following me.
Phrase meaning 'to follow (someone)'. More casual than 追う, implies going along with someone.
次の is the most general and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. 以下の is more formal and often used in written contexts to refer to items listed below. 下記の is even more formal and specific to business or official documents.
次の点を確認してください。
Please check the following points. (neutral)
以下の点をご確認ください。
Please check the following points. (formal written)
下記の点をご確認ください。
Please check the following points. (business formal)
English often uses 'following' as a noun (e.g., 'the following is a list'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use a phrase like 以下の通りです or 次の通りです. Avoid literal translations like フォローイング.
We will discuss in the following chapter.
To keep a promise (follow through).
法律を守らなければならない。
We must follow the law.
彼女の後をついて行った。
I followed her.