JLPT N2 Lesson 2: Formal Conjunction Mastery I

Master the nuances of formal Japanese conjunctions used to express basis, compliance, and alignment in professional and academic contexts.

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Overview

In the JLPT N2 curriculum, shifting from casual to formal communication is essential. This lesson focuses on four critical conjunction patterns used to describe the foundation or standard upon which an action is taken. These structures—ni motodzuku, ni shitagau, ni sou, and o moto ni—are staples in business reports, legal documents, and formal presentations.

By mastering these, you will move beyond basic "because" (kara/node) structures and gain the ability to articulate professional logic with precision. This lesson builds upon your N3 knowledge of basic particles and sets the stage for advanced N2-level discourse markers that define high-level Japanese proficiency.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson you can:

  • Distinguish between the nuances of "based on" (legal vs. data-driven).
  • Correctly apply ni shitagatte to describe following rules or instructions.
  • Use ni sotte to describe actions aligned with plans or policies.
  • Construct professional sentences suitable for a Japanese workplace environment.

New Vocabulary

Japanese Reading Romaji English Part of Speech
法律 ほうりつ hōritsu Law Noun
規則 きそく kisoku Rule/Regulation Noun
計画 けいかく keikaku Plan Noun
データ でーた dēta Data Noun
方針 ほうしん hōshin Policy Noun
根拠 こんきょ konkyo Basis/Grounds Noun
契約 けいやく keiyaku Contract Noun
指示 しじ shiji Instruction Noun
調査 ちょうさ chōsa Investigation Noun
基準 きじゅん kijun Standard Noun
実施する じっしする jisshi suru To implement Verb
変更する へんこうする henkō suru To change Verb
基づく もとづく motodzuku To be based on Verb
従う したがう shitagau To follow/obey Verb
沿う そう sou To run along/follow Verb

Grammar Points

1. 〜に基づいて / 〜に基づく (Based on)

Structure: Noun + に基づいて / に基づく

This pattern is used when something is established or performed based on a firm foundation, such as a law, a standard, or a set of facts. It implies a formal or objective basis. Use 〜に基づいて to modify a verb, and 〜に基づく to modify a noun.

Japanese Reading Romaji English
法律に基づいて判断する ほうりつにもとづいてはんだんする hōritsu ni motodzukuite handan suru To judge based on the law
事実に基づく報告 じじつにもとづくほうこく jijitsu ni motodzuku hōkoku A report based on facts
基準に基づいて評価する きじゅんにとづいてひょうかする kijun ni motodzukuite hyōka suru To evaluate based on standards
規定に基づく決定 きていにもとづくけってい kitei ni motodzuku kettei A decision based on regulations

Common mistake: ❌ 経験に基づいて話す (This is okay, but o moto ni is better for personal experience) → ✓ 事実に基づいて話す (Use motodzuku for objective, formal foundations).

2. 〜に従い / 〜に従って (In accordance with)

Structure: Noun + に従い / に従って

This pattern indicates that an action is performed in accordance with a rule, instruction, or order. It implies compliance or following a pre-set path. 〜に従って is slightly more common in spoken and written instructions.

Japanese Reading Romaji English
規則に従って行動する きそくにしたがってこうどうする kisoku ni shitagatte kōdō suru To act in accordance with rules
指示に従い作業する しじにしたがいさぎょうする shiji ni shitagai sagyō suru To work following instructions
法律に従う ほうりつにしたがう hōritsu ni shitagau To follow the law
計画に従って進める けいかくにしたがってすすめる keikaku ni shitagatte susumeru To proceed according to the plan

Common mistake: ❌ 友達に従って行く → ✓ 友達について行く (Use shitagau only for rules, orders, or formal instructions, not for following a person).

3. 〜に沿って / 〜に沿った (Along / In line with)

Structure: Noun + に沿って / に沿った

This pattern means to move along a physical line (like a river) or to act in accordance with a plan, policy, or request. It implies "staying within the boundaries" of something.

Japanese Reading Romaji English
方針に沿って進める ほうしんにそってすすめる hōshin ni sotte susumeru To proceed in line with policy
計画に沿った予算 けいかくにそったよさん keikaku ni sotta yosan A budget in line with the plan
川に沿って歩く かわにそってあるく kawa ni sotte aruku To walk along the river
要望に沿って作成する ようぼうにそってさくせいする yōbō ni sotte sakusei suru To create in line with requests

4. 〜をもとに / 〜をもとにして (Using as a basis)

Structure: Noun + をもとに / をもとにして

This is used when creating something new using a specific source, data, or experience as the foundation. Unlike motodzuku, which is for abstract rules, o moto ni is for concrete materials or information.

Japanese Reading Romaji English
データをもとに分析する でーたをもとにぶんせきする dēta o moto ni bunseki suru To analyze based on data
経験をもとにして書く けいけんをもとにしてかく keiken o moto ni shite kaku To write based on experience
調査結果をもとに議論する ちょうさけっかをもとにぎろんする chōsa kekka o moto ni giron suru To discuss based on survey results

Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Office Planning Meeting

Tanaka: 来月のプロジェクトについて、方針に沿って進めましょう。 (Raigetsu no purojekuto ni tsuite, hōshin ni sotte susumemashō.) "Regarding next month's project, let's proceed in line with our policy."

Sato: はい。先日のデータをもとに、新しい計画案を作りました。 (Hai. Senjitsu no dēta o moto ni, atarashii keikakuan o tsukurimashita.) "Yes. Based on the data from the other day, I have created a new plan proposal."

Tanaka: ありがとうございます。では、規則に従って承認プロセスを進めます。 (Arigatō gozaimasu. Dewa, kisoku ni shitagatte shōnin purosesu o susumemasu.) "Thank you. Then, I will proceed with the approval process in accordance with the rules."

Lawyer: 法律に基づいて、この契約書を修正する必要があります。 (Hōritsu ni motodzukuite, kono keiyakusho o shūsei suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.) "It is necessary to revise this contract based on the law."

Client: わかりました。指示に従って修正します。 (Wakarimashita. Shiji ni shitagatte shūsei shimasu.) "Understood. I will revise it following your instructions."

Grammar Drills

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank

  1. 会社の（　　）に従って、残業を申請してください。(hint: rule)
  2. 過去のデータ（　　）をもとに、予測を立てました。(hint: based on)
  3. 法律（　　）基づいて、この決定は無効です。(hint: based on)
  4. マニュアル（　　）沿って、機械を操作してください。(hint: along/in line with)

Answer Key:

  1. 規則 (kisoku)
  2. を (o)
  3. に (ni)
  4. に (ni)

Translation Practice

English → Japanese

  1. We will proceed in accordance with the plan.
  2. This report is based on the survey results.

Japanese → English 3. 法律に基づいて行動する。 4. 指示に沿って作業を進める。

Answer Key:

  1. 計画に従って進めます。(Keikaku ni shitagatte susumemasu.)
  2. この報告書は調査結果をもとにしています。(Kono hōkokusho wa chōsa kekka o moto ni shite imasu.)
  3. I will act based on the law.
  4. I will proceed with the work in line with the instructions.

Cultural Note

In Japanese business culture, the distinction between motodzuku (legal/formal basis) and o moto ni (creative/informational basis) is vital. Using the wrong term can make a speaker sound unprofessional. Furthermore, the frequent use of ni shitagatte (in accordance with) reflects the high-context, hierarchical nature of Japanese workplaces, where following established procedures is often valued as much as the result itself.

When speaking to superiors, using these formal conjunctions demonstrates that you are a "team player" who respects the organization's structure. It shows that your actions are not arbitrary but are grounded in the collective logic of the company.

Self-Check

  1. What is the main difference between motodzuku and o moto ni?
  2. When should you use ni shitagatte?
  3. Can ni sotte be used for physical movement?
  4. Translate: "I made this based on your advice."
  5. How do these patterns change the tone of your Japanese?