Translation guide
Expresses that one thing changes or is determined relative to another. Common patterns include に応じて (ni oujite), に比例して (ni hirei shite), and につれて (ni tsurete).
One thing changes or is decided according to another (e.g., effort, ability, demand).
Used when something is adjusted or decided based on another factor. Common in formal and business contexts.
需要に応じて生産量を調整します。
We adjust production volume in proportion to demand.
能力に応じて仕事を割り当てる。
Assign tasks according to ability.
Means 'to match' or 'in accordance with'. More flexible and slightly less formal than に応じて.
予算に合わせて計画を立てる。
Make a plan in proportion to the budget.
Indicates that the outcome depends on something. Often used with nouns.
努力次第で結果は変わる。
Results change in proportion to your effort.
A direct ratio: as one quantity increases, another increases or decreases at a constant rate.
The standard expression for mathematical or quantitative proportionality.
利益は売上に比例して増加する。
Profits increase in proportion to sales.
抵抗は長さに比例する。
Resistance is proportional to length.
Can also be used for proportional relationships in non-technical contexts.
収入に応じて税金がかかる。
Tax is levied in proportion to income.
Describes a gradual change where one thing follows another, often over time.
Used when a change in one thing is accompanied by a change in another. Often with verbs.
年を取るにつれて、体力が落ちる。
As you get older, your strength declines in proportion to age.
気温が上がるにつれて、アイスクリームの売上が伸びる。
Ice cream sales increase as the temperature rises.
Similar to につれて, but often implies a stronger causal link or formal context.
経済成長に伴って、環境問題が深刻化した。
Environmental problems worsened in proportion to economic growth.
As one thing increases, the other decreases.
The direct equivalent of 'in inverse proportion to'. Used in technical and formal contexts.
価格は需要に反比例する。
Price is in inverse proportion to demand.
Less common variant of 反比例.
供給が増えるに逆比例して価格が下がる。
Price falls in inverse proportion to supply.
に応じて is for adjusting to a standard or condition. につれて is for natural, gradual change over time. に比例して is strictly for mathematical proportionality.
需要に応じて生産する。
Produce according to demand.
年を取るにつれて記憶力が衰える。
Memory declines as you age.
面積に比例してコストが上がる。
Cost increases in proportion to area.
Do not translate 'in proportion to' word-for-word as 割合に (わりあいに) or 比率で (ひりつで). These are not natural in most contexts.