〜に則って (~ni nottotte) — in accordance with (rules / tradition)
The stiff form for doing something by faithfully following an established rule, law or tradition.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
At the opening of a sports meet an athlete takes the oath: 「スポーツマンシップに則り、正々堂々と戦うことを誓います」— 'in accordance with the spirit of sportsmanship, I swear to play fair.'
Meaning
「則る」means to take an ideal or rule as your model and act by it. So 「〜に則って」says: do something by faithfully following an established 'pattern' — a law, a rule, a tradition, a procedure.
How to attach
Attach N + 「に則って」, and before a noun 「に則った N」(伝統に則った祭り); in writing you also see 「に則り」.
Versus what you know
- N3「〜に従って」(先生の指示に従って) also means 'according to', but it is everyday language for obeying someone's instructions; 「則って」is very stiff and ceremonial — ceremonies, legal procedures, official papers.
- The difference from 「〜に即して」: 即して fits the real situation, 則って follows an established rule or tradition.
Watch out
The key rule: only a 'standard' like a rule, law or tradition goes in front — not a changing condition like the weather or age (天気に則って); there, say 「に合わせて」or 「に応じて」.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
式は、昔からの伝統に則って行われた。
しきは、むかしからのでんとうにのっとっておこなわれた。
The ceremony was held in accordance with long-standing tradition.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 昔からの伝統 = long-standing tradition (an established standard) → 「に則って」 = following it exactly → 行われた = was held.
退職の手続きは、会社の規定に則って進めてください。
たいしょくのてつづきは、かいしゃのきていにのっとってすすめてください。
Please carry out the resignation procedure in accordance with company regulations.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 会社の規定 = company regulations → 「に則って」 = following them → then the instruction: 進めてください = please go ahead with it.
この神社では、古い作法に則った結婚式が人気だ。
このじんじゃでは、ふるいさほうにのっとったけっこんしきがにんきだ。
At this shrine, weddings that follow the old customs are popular.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 古い作法 = old customs → a noun (結婚式) comes after, so 「に則った」 → 作法に則った結婚式 = a wedding that follows the customs → 人気だ = is popular.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「法律＿＿則って、適切に処理いたします。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: Which particle comes before 則る?
N + に則って. 法律に則って = in accordance with the law. 則る doesn't take 「を」「で」or 「と」.
In which sentence is 「に則って」unnatural?
💡 Hint: Is it an established rule, or a changing condition?
則る only takes rules, laws and traditions. Weather is a changing condition — say 「天気に合わせて」.
Which is closest to the meaning of 「則る」in 「〜に則って」?
💡 Hint: Remember the athletes' oath: スポーツマンシップに則り.
則る = to follow a rule or model. Comparing to judge = 照らす, treating as equal = 準じる, fitting reality = 即す.
Your score: /3