に合わせて・
Matching, responding, following, and complying
Choose by asking what the first noun provides. Is it a target to match, a changing condition to respond to, a course to follow, the reality that a policy must fit, or an established norm that must be obeyed? That relationship—not the English translation “according to” or “in accordance with”—determines the natural form.
Start with what guides the action
Match a concrete target
に合わせて
Someone actively changes timing, pace, content, size, or another choice so that it fits a target.
The sentence should contain a real act of matching or coordination, not merely two things that happen to vary together.
Respond to a variable condition
に応じて
Treatment, service, or action changes appropriately with a need, request, category, circumstance, or degree.
This is a responsive relationship, often across several possible levels, rather than simple dependence on a factor.
Follow a supplied course
に沿って
An action follows a physical line or stays with the direction supplied by a plan, policy, procedure, theme, or request.
The first noun must provide something like a route or guiding course.
Fit actual conditions closely
に即して
A report, policy, design, or response must closely reflect facts, present conditions, practical needs, or changes in society.
The emphasis is faithfulness to reality, not obedience to a rule.
Comply with an established norm
に則って
Conduct or a procedure conforms to a law, regulation, standard, principle, custom, or precedent.
The noun should function as an authoritative or established model that can genuinely be followed.
One target or a range of conditions?
A community center changes its services for different users.
一人の利用者の都合に合わせて、相談時間を変更した。
We changed the consultation time to suit one user's schedule.
AnalyzeA specific appointment is actively moved to match one person's availability.
利用者の年齢に応じて、相談内容を変えている。
We vary the consultation content according to the user's age.
AnalyzeDifferent ages call for different appropriate responses.
Takeaway: に合わせて presents active matching to a target. に応じて presents suitable variation as the condition changes.
A line can be physical or abstract
The shared image is staying with a line already provided. A river can supply that line literally; a policy can supply it as a direction for action.
Reality and rules point in different directions
An organization revises its disaster-preparedness plan.
地域の実情に即して、防災計画を改定した。
The disaster-preparedness plan was revised to fit actual local conditions.
AnalyzeLocal reality is what the plan must fit closely.
国の防災基準に則って、防災計画を改定した。
The disaster-preparedness plan was revised in compliance with national disaster standards.
AnalyzeThe standards are an established norm governing the revision.
Takeaway: Ask whether the action is being made realistic or being made compliant. Choose に即して for the former and に則って for the latter. The same broad subject area can support either relationship, so a noun list alone cannot make the choice.
More examples across the family
演奏の速さに合わせて、照明を切り替えた。
The lighting was changed in time with the speed of the performance.
Analyze会場の広さに合わせて、机の数を減らした。
We reduced the number of desks to suit the size of the venue.
Analyze注文数に応じて、作業員を増やします。
We will increase the number of workers according to the volume of orders.
Analyze症状に応じた支援を受けられます。
Support appropriate to your symptoms is available.
Analyze案内図の順路に沿って、出口まで進んでください。
Please follow the route on the guide map to the exit.
Analyze基本計画に沿って、工事を進めています。
Construction is proceeding in line with the basic plan.
Analyze現場の実態に即して、研修内容を見直した。
The training content was reviewed to reflect actual conditions in the field.
Analyze現在の需要に即した制度が必要だ。
A system suited to current demand is needed.
Analyze安全規則に則って、機械を点検した。
The machinery was inspected in accordance with the safety regulations.
Analyze過去の先例に則り、委員長を選出した。
The committee chair was selected in accordance with past precedent.
Analyze