Translation guide
A guide to expressing 'according to' in Japanese, covering how to cite sources, report hearsay, and indicate basis or standards.
According to the weather forecast, it will rain.
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.
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
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.
Used specifically when citing what someone said. More conversational than によると.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to the report, sales increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
According to Mr. Tanaka, the meeting has been postponed.
I heard he's going to study abroad next year.
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'.
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...'.
It is said that electricity rates will go up from next month.
You must act according to the law.
Please proceed with the work according to the instructions.
Means 'based on' facts, data, evidence, or standards. More objective than に従って.
Make a decision based on the data.
Please speak according to the facts.
Means 'exactly as' or 'in the way of'. Used when following a model, example, or instruction precisely.
I assembled it according to the manual.
Opinions differ according to the person.
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.
Results change according to your effort.
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').