Translation guide
How to express the idea of following rules, requests, standards, or laws in Japanese.
To act in accordance with established rules, laws, or regulations.
General verb for obeying or following rules, orders, or laws. Often used with に.
You must comply with the law.
Please follow the rules.
Means to protect or keep, but commonly used for observing rules, promises, or manners. Often used with を.
Let's obey traffic rules.
Keeping promises is important.
To respond or comply with a request, demand, or expectation. Often used with に.
We decided to comply with the request.
Formal term for conforming to standards or regulations, often used in legal or technical contexts.
This product complies with safety standards.
To do what someone in authority tells you to do.
Same as above, but specifically for orders or instructions.
I acted in compliance with my boss's instructions.
Literally 'listen to what someone says', meaning to obey or do as told. Casual.
The child doesn't comply with what the parents say.
Strong word for submission or obedience, often used in military or hierarchical contexts.
He complied with the order (submitted to it).
To satisfy a set of criteria or conditions.
To fulfill or satisfy conditions, requirements, or standards. Used with を.
If you comply with these conditions, you can apply.
To conform to or be in compliance with specifications or standards. Technical/formal.
To match or be in agreement with something, often used for abstract criteria.
His actions comply with the policy.
To agree to do what someone asks or demands.
Commonly used for complying with requests, invitations, or demands.
Complying with his request, I sent the documents.
To accept or comply with a demand or condition, often implying some reluctance.
Also used for requests, though more common for rules.
Both mean 'to follow/obey', but 従う (shitagau) emphasizes following a guide or authority (rules, orders, instructions), while 守る (mamoru) emphasizes protecting or upholding something (rules, promises, manners). 守る is often used for moral or social obligations.
Do not translate 'comply with' literally as 従う in all cases. For 'comply with standards', 満たす or 適合する is more natural. For 'comply with a request', 応じる is often better.
It does not meet the standards.
This device complies with the specifications.
The company complied with the union's demands.
お客様のご要望に従います。
We will comply with the customer's request.