～に応じて・に応じた

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★★ 3/5 neutral におうじてni oujite
Reading におうじて
Romaji ni oujite
Formation Noun + に応じて + Verb / Noun + に応じた + Noun
Kanji breakdown 応 — おうじる (to respond, to comply); 応 (respond) + じる (do)

Meaning

A compound particle meaning 'in response to,' 'in accordance with,' or 'depending on.' It indicates that something adjusts, varies, or corresponds to a particular factor or request.

に応じて and に応じた express that an action or state adapts in proportion to or in accordance with the preceding element. に応じて modifies a verb (adjusting in response to something), while に応じた modifies a noun (something tailored to a condition). It can indicate proportional adjustment (price varies according to quantity), compliance with a request (responding to a demand), or matching (appropriate to the situation). It differs from によって, which marks cause or means, and from に合わせて, which emphasizes synchronization. に応じて carries a nuance of flexible or appropriate adaptation rather than mere cause and effect.

Examples

  1. 患者の症状に応じて治療方針を柔軟に変更する必要がある。 It is necessary to flexibly adjust the treatment plan in response to the patient's symptoms.
  2. 市場の需要に応じた価格設定が企業の競争力を左右する。 Pricing that corresponds to market demand determines a company's competitiveness.
  3. 住民の要望に応じて、公園の遊具が新しく設置された。 In response to residents' requests, new playground equipment was installed in the park.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, business, formal

Tone: adaptive

Do Say

  • 気温の変化に応じて服装を調整するのは健康管理の基本だ。
  • 顧客のニーズに応じたサービスを提供することが我々の使命である。
  • 状況に応じて臨機応変に対応できる人材が求められている。

Don't Say

  • 天気に応じて傘を持っていく。(に応じて implies flexible proportional response — for a simple binary decision, use に合わせて or plain conditional なら) → 天気に合わせて傘を持っていく。
  • 先生に応じて宿題を出した。(Misuse — に応じて marks what you respond to, not who you respond to for a routine action; use 先生に for indirect object) → 先生に宿題を提出した。

Origin & History

Composed of the particle に and 応じて/応じた, from the verb 応じる (to respond, to comply). Literally 'responding to,' it developed into an expression of proportional adjustment or compliance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

～によると・によれば A compound particle used to identify the source of information being reported. It means 'according to' and introduces hearsay or reported facts from a specific source. ～に向けて・に向けた A compound particle indicating the destination, direction, or target of an action. に向けて means 'aimed at' or 'toward' (adverbial), while に向けた modifies a noun as 'directed at' or 'targeted at.' ～に決まっている A phrase expressing the speaker's strong conviction or certainty about something. It means 'it is certain that,' 'there is no doubt that,' or 'of course.' ～に（も）なく A phrase meaning that something unusual happens or someone does something out of character. It is often used in the set form ～にもなく to mean 'uncharacteristically' or 'unusually for.' ～に/ともなると A phrase used when something or some situation is perceived as reaching a special or significant level. It means 'when it comes to (something of that level)' or 'once you reach the point of.' ～にしても A conjunction meaning 'even if,' 'even though,' or 'granting that.' It acknowledges a premise and then introduces a consequence, judgment, or condition that holds regardless. ～にしろ・にせよ A conjunctive phrase expressing concession, meaning 'even if,' 'whether...or,' or 'granting that.' It presents a hypothetical or acknowledged condition while asserting that the main point still holds. ～にとどまらず A phrase meaning 'not limited to' or 'going beyond.' It indicates that something exceeds a certain boundary, scope, or expectation and extends further.
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