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'.
Referring to the next item, person, or thing in a list or sequence.
The most common and versatile way to say 'the following' or 'the next'. Used as a pre-noun adjectival.
I'll get off at the following station.
Please answer the following question.
Used in formal or written contexts to mean 'the following' (literally 'below'). Often used in documents or presentations.
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.
The following day, he returned to his country.
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.
Too late; the following festival (idiom)
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.
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.
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.
Proceed following the plan.
Moving behind or going after someone/something.
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.
Please check the following points. (neutral)
Please check the following points. (formal written)
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.
後の話で詳しく説明します。
I'll explain in detail in the following story.
続く章で議論する。
We will discuss in the following chapter.
I acted following the instructions.
約束を守る。
To keep a promise (follow through).
We must follow the law.
I followed her.