“〜ni soku shite・〜ni soku shita”: In Line with 〜, Based on Actual 〜 [JLPT N1]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

「現実に即した対応」「法律に即して判断する」 — acting based on concrete facts, rules, or the actual situation.

「現実に即した対応」 — in keeping with (reality・facts・rules), acting on the actual situation

The worst thing to hear in a meeting is “in theory yes, but reality isn't like that.” To say “in keeping with reality, acting on the actual situation,” Japanese uses 「に即して」 — 「現実に即した対応が必要だ (we need a response in keeping with reality).」 「〜に即して／に即した」 = in keeping with (reality・facts・rules), acting on the actual state of things. This guide focuses on 「に即した (adnominal)」 and high-frequency pairings like 現実／事実／法律に即して, cross-referencing the same-form 〈に即して〉 and distinguishing 〈に沿って〉〈に基づいて〉.

Core: in keeping with (reality・facts・rules), on the actual situation

「〜に即して」 = in keeping with (reality・facts・rules), following the actual situation (not departing from it) ～:

• 現実に即して、計画を見直す (revise the plan in keeping with reality).
• 事実に即して、報告する (report according to the facts).
• 法律に即して、処理する (handle it in accordance with the law).

Feel: 「即す (そくす)」 = “cling to, not depart from,” so 「Aに即して」 = “in keeping with A (its reality／rules), following A (without departing from A) ～.” It commonly attaches to “actual states or norms” like 現実・事実・実情・実態・法律・規則・時代, stressing “not in the abstract, not departing from reality — done hugging the true state (or the rules).” Adnominal is 「に即した ＋ noun」 (現実に即した対応 = a response in keeping with reality). It leans written, formal, mostly policy, reports, law, business. In English: in keeping with ～, in accordance with ～ (the reality／rules), on the actual situation. (= the て-form／adnominal of 「に即する,」 see 〈に即して〉; for the 「に沿って (along a policy)」「に基づいて (based on)」 distinction, see below.)

Attachment & forms

Examples in context

• 理想論ではなく、現実に即した解決策を求める。(Not idealism — seeking a solution in keeping with reality.)
• 事実に即して、客観的に記述する。(Describe objectively, according to the facts.)
• 時代に即した教育が必要だ。(We need education in keeping with the times.)
• 現場の実情に即して、柔軟に対応する。(Respond flexibly, in keeping with the actual situation on the ground.)
• 規則に即して、公正に審査する。(Review fairly, in accordance with the rules.)

⚠️ Where learners slip up

① 「に即して」 hugs an ‘actual state or norm' (reality・facts・law), not ‘along a policy.' The core of 「に即して」 is “cling to, not depart from (reality／facts／rules),” so what it attaches to is mostly “actual states or norms” like 現実・事実・実情・実態・法律・規則・時代, stressing “not in the abstract, not departing from reality.” Don't confuse it with 「に沿って (along)」 — 「に沿って」 attaches to “set directions, courses” like 方針・計画・ガイドライン・希望, stressing “following that line, not deviating in direction” (方針に沿って進める = proceed along the policy). Difference: に即して = in keeping with ‘the actual／the rules' (reality, facts, law); に沿って = following a ‘direction／course' (policy, plan). Test: hugging reality, facts, regulations → に即して; along a policy, plan, course → に沿って (see 〈に沿って〉).

② To modify a noun, use 「に即した,」 not 「に即しての.」 To modify a following noun (a ～ in keeping with ～), use 「に即した ＋ noun」: 現実に即した対応 (a response in keeping with reality), 実情に即した判断 (a judgment in keeping with the actual situation), 時代に即した制度 (a system in keeping with the times). Don't use 「に即しての」 (unnatural). Adverbial (doing ～ in keeping with) is 「に即して」: 事実に即して報告する. Test: a noun follows → に即した ＋ noun; a verb follows → に即して ＋ verb.

③ The subtle difference from 「に基づいて (based on).」 Both can be “according to, based on,” but the emphasis differs. 「に基づいて」 = “taking ～ as the basis, grounds (foundation),” stressing “making A the grounds／starting point of your reasoning or action,” attaching to 資料・事実・法律・経験・調査 (データに基づいて分析 = analyze based on data; see 〈に基づいて〉). 「に即して」 = “hugging A's reality, not departing from A,” stressing “clinging to the true state (or rules), not abstract, not detached.” Subtle difference: に基づいて = taking ～ as the grounds, starting point (make A the base); に即して = in keeping with ～'s reality, not departing (hug A's true state). Often interchangeable (事実に基づいて／事実に即して both work), but 「に即して」 stresses more “fitting reality, not detached,” 「に基づいて」 more “as the grounds, source.” Test: stressing “as the grounds, starting point” → に基づいて; stressing “in keeping with ～'s reality, not departing” → に即して.

④ It's a written, formal expression; everyday speech uses 「に合わせて／を踏まえて.」 「に即して」 leans written, formal, mostly for policy, reports, law, business, discourse. Everyday speech uses it less — for “matching the actual situation,” everyday uses 実際に合わせて, for “taking reality into account” 現実を踏まえて. Test: to say formally, in writing “in keeping with ～, on the actual situation” → に即して; for everyday → に合わせて／を踏まえて.

🔄 Compare: に即して／に沿って／に基づいて／に応じて

💡 Learning tip

The soul of 「〜に即して」 is in 「即す = cling to, not depart from」 — 「現実に即して」 is “in keeping with reality, not detached, no empty talk.” It attaches specifically to “actual states or norms” like 現実・事実・実態・法律・規則, a high-frequency term in policy, reports, law, and business, carrying a “pragmatic, grounded, not-abstract” professional flavor the moment it appears. The easiest confusion is 「に沿って」 — but remember: に即して is in keeping with ‘the actual／the rules' (reality, facts, law); に沿って follows a ‘direction／course' (policy, plan). For the adnominal, don't forget 「に即した ＋ noun」 (現実に即した対応). For everyday “matching the actual,” 「に合わせて／を踏まえて」 is fine — save 「に即して」 for formal settings, where it fits best.

❓ Questions you might have

Q: What's the difference between 「現実に即して」 and 「現実に沿って」? Interchangeable?

Not really — the difference is ‘hugging the actual vs. following a direction.' 「現実に即して」 = in keeping with reality, on the actual situation (not detached): 「即す」 is “cling to, not depart from,” so 「現実に即して」 = “hugging reality, on the actual state (no empty talk, not detached),” stressing “not abstract, not idealistic — in keeping with the true situation”: 理想論ではなく現実に即して考える (think in keeping with reality, not idealism). It attaches to “true states” like 現実・事実・実態. 「〜に沿って」 = following a (direction, course), not deviating: 「沿う」 is “run along, follow,” attaching to “set directions, courses” like 方針・計画・ガイドライン, stressing “following that line, not deviating in direction”: 方針に沿って進める (proceed along the policy). So 「現実に沿って」 is unnatural (reality isn't a “course”); to pair with 「現実,」 use 「に即して.」 Difference: に即して = in keeping with ‘the actual／norms' (reality, facts, law); に沿って = following a ‘direction／course' (policy, plan). Test: hugging reality, facts, regulations → に即して; along a policy, plan → に沿って. ⚠️Note: this site also has a synonymous 「に即して」 (see 〈に即して〉) worth cross-checking; the core of both is “cling to, not depart from the actual.”

Q: 「に即して」 and 「に基づいて」 both translate as “according to, based on” — how to tell them apart?

The difference is the emphasis ‘hugging the actual vs. taking as grounds.' 「に即して」 = in keeping with ～'s reality, not departing: stresses “hugging the true state (or rules), not abstract, not detached,” the point being “matching, fitting reality”: 現実に即して (in keeping with reality, fitting the actual), 実態に即して (fitting the actual state). 「に基づいて」 = taking ～ as grounds, starting point: stresses “making A the grounds, foundation, source of your reasoning or action,” the point being “starting from A, on A's authority”: データに基づいて分析する (analyze based on data — data as the basis), 法律に基づいて処理する (handle it by law — on the law's authority, see 〈に基づいて〉). The two are often interchangeable (「事実に即して」 and 「事実に基づいて」 both work), but the subtle difference is: に即して asks “does it fit, hug reality” (hugging A); に基づいて asks “taking what as grounds, starting point” (starting from A). Test: stressing “fitting, in keeping with ～'s reality” → に即して; stressing “taking ～ as grounds, authority, starting point” → に基づいて. So “analyze based on data” uses に基づいて (data is the basis), “in keeping with reality (no empty talk)” uses に即して (fitting reality).

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「___に即して、対応を考える。」(consider measures closely tied to reality)

(A) 現実　(B) 理想　(C) 空想　(D) 希望

Q2. 「規則___処理する。」(handle according to the rules)

(A) に即して　(B) において　(C) にとって　(D) について

Q3. 「時代___教育」(education suited to the times) The correct form to modify a noun?

(A) に即した　(B) に即して　(C) に即す　(D) に即するの

Q4. 「に即して」の語感として正しいのは?

(A) Closely tied to facts/reality/rules, not detached from actuality

(B) Unrelated to the facts

(C) Indicates contrast/concession

(D) Indicates time sequence

Q5. 「に即して」と「に基づいて」の違いとして正しいのは?

(A) に即して＝closely tied to reality/facts; に基づいて＝based on ~ as the grounds/foundation

(B) The two are exactly the same

(C) に即して indicates a reason

(D) に基づいて indicates contrast/concession

Answer Explanations

1. (A) 現実 ── Thinking closely tied to reality (に即して often attaches to facts/reality).

2. (A) に即して ── Handle according to the rules.

3. (A) に即した ── To modify a noun, use に即した.

4. (A) ── Closely tied to facts/reality/rules.

5. (A) ── に即して = closely tied to reality; に基づいて = based on ~ as the grounds.