目錄
When watching Japanese news or reading formal documents, you will often come across the N1 grammar pattern 「に照らして」. This expression is usually translated into Chinese as “judging based on…” or “in accordance with…,” and it appears especially frequently in legal provisions, corporate regulations, and social news. However, the main difficulty in learning this grammar is often not its attachment pattern, but the serious, formal nuance it carries when used.
What are the uses of 「に照らして」? Its core function and formal nuance
News reports discussing court decisions often use expressions such as 「法に照らして裁かれる」, while internal corporate disciplinary actions may be described with 「社則に照らして処分された」. What these sentences have in common is that they take abstract standards such as “laws, rules, standards, or past precedents,” compare a specific situation against them, and then present an evaluation or judgment. It is not simply about stating “what something is based on,” but about identifying “what standard is being used to measure it.” This act of “measuring something against a standard” is the real core of 「に照らして」.
What are the uses of 「に照らして」? Core functions
Attachment pattern
The attachment pattern of 「に照らして」 is very simple: attach 「に照らして」 directly to a noun. There are also two related forms, 「に照らし」, a written form often used when listing provisions in formal documents, and 「に照らすと」, which emphasizes the conclusion reached after comparison. Their basic function is the same, though the degree of formality differs slightly.
| Type of expression | Attachment pattern | Example |
| Noun (standard／rule) | Noun＋に照らして | 法に照らして |
| Formal written provisions or listings | Noun＋に照らし | 規定に照らし |
| Emphasizing the result of comparison | Noun＋に照らすと | 現状に照らすと |
Usage ① of 「に照らして」｜Making an evaluation according to laws or rules
This usage treats clearly defined standards such as “laws, company rules, regulations, and institutional rules” as the benchmark, compares a current action or event against them, and then states the resulting judgment or disciplinary action. The tone is serious and is commonly found in legal documents and formal reporting.
- Example: 犯罪は全て法に照らして裁かれる。
Translation: All crimes are judged according to the law.
This sentence treats 「法」 as the standard for evaluation. A specific criminal act is compared against legal provisions before a judgment is made. The expression is extremely formal and is often found in legal documents or news reports. - Example: 彼は社則に照らして処分された。
Translation: He was disciplined in accordance with company regulations.
This sentence treats 「社則（company regulations）」 as the standard. The person’s conduct is compared against the contents of the regulations before the type of disciplinary action is determined. This is commonly seen in workplace disciplinary notices or personnel announcements. - Example: この製品は国際基準に照らして厳しく審査される。
Translation: This product will be rigorously reviewed against international standards.
This sentence uses 「国際基準」 as the reference standard and emphasizes that the product specifications are examined one by one against international requirements rather than judged based on subjective impressions.
Usage ② of 「に照らして」｜Making a judgment based on facts, experience, or common social standards
This usage does not involve laws or regulations. Instead, it uses “facts, past experience, or common social standards” as a point of reference to support a judgment or conclusion. The tone is somewhat softer than in legal contexts, but it still carries a rigorous sense of making a judgment on the basis of evidence.
- Example: 事実に照らして、この証言は信用できる。
Translation: Judging from the facts, this testimony is credible.
This sentence treats “the facts” as the reference standard. The testimony is compared against known facts before reaching the conclusion that it is “credible,” rather than relying purely on intuition. - Example: 過去の経験に照らして判断するべきだ。
Translation: We should judge based on past experience.
This sentence uses 「過去の経験」 as the standard for judgment. It emphasizes that when making a decision, the current situation should be compared against previous cases rather than guessed at without any basis. This logic of “making a judgment only when there is evidence” also shares something in common with the underlying logic of the conjectural expression 「はず」. - Example: 現状に照らして、新しい計画を考えましょう。
Translation: Let’s think about a new plan in light of the current situation.
This sentence treats 「現状」 as the benchmark. The speaker argues that a new plan should first be measured against real-world conditions so that it does not remain purely theoretical.
What is the difference between 「に照らして」「に基づいて」 and 「に則り」?
All three expressions can be translated into Chinese as “based on…,” and all have the outward form of “に＋a modified verb form,” but they function on three different levels: one means “to compare and evaluate against a standard,” one means “to use something as a basis or starting point,” and one means “to follow and carry out something according to a rule.”
| Point of comparison | に照らして | に基づいて | に則り |
| Core action | Compare, check, evaluate | Use something as a basis or starting point | Follow, comply with, carry out according to |
| Main nuance | Measure the matter at hand against a standard | Use a certain basis to do something | Act or carry something out according to a norm |
| Common contexts | Legal judgments, reviews, evaluations | Scientific theories, regulations, statistical data | Ceremonies, rules, traditional practices |
| Common mistake | ❌ Using it where the meaning is simply to follow and carry something out | ❌ Using it where the meaning is simply to compare and evaluate | ❌ Using it in contexts involving thought or judgment |
| Correct example | ✅ 事実に照らして判断する | ✅ 統計データに基づいて分析する | ✅ 伝統に則り式を執り行う |
▌The core difference between 「に照らして」 and 「に基づいて」
❌ Incorrect: この理論に照らして、実験を行った。(The intended meaning here is “conducted an experiment based on this theory,” but 「に照らして」 means using a theory to compare or evaluate an existing phenomenon, not treating the theory as the starting point for an action, so it does not fit naturally here.)
✅ Correct: この理論に基づいて、実験を行った。(「に基づいて」 correctly expresses the idea of using the theory as the basis for carrying out the experiment.)
The focus of 「に照らして」 is “comparison and evaluation,” while the focus of 「に基づいて」 is using something as a starting point or foundation from which another action is carried out. This logical structure of “first having a basis, then discussing the cause” differs from the function of causal expressions using から／ので. Although both may be translated into Chinese as “based on,” one points toward static comparison, while the other points toward dynamically carrying out an action from a given basis.
▌The core difference between 「に照らして」 and 「に則り」
❌ Incorrect: 社則に照らして、新入社員研修を行った。(The intended meaning here is “conducted new employee training according to company regulations,” but 「に照らして」 means using the regulations to measure or judge whether something meets a standard, rather than following the regulations in carrying out an action, so this usage is not precise enough.)
✅ Correct: 社則に則り、新入社員研修を行った。(「に則り」 correctly expresses carrying out the training in accordance with the company regulations.)
「に照らして」 is usually followed by cognitive or evaluative actions such as “judge, evaluate, or review,” whereas 「に則り」 is followed by action-oriented verbs such as “carry out, hold, or put into practice.” Both can take nouns referring to rules or standards, but the nature of the action that follows is completely different.
Everyday use and cultural background of Japanese 「に照らして」: the Japanese logic of speaking with a clear basis
In formal communication in Japanese society, particular importance is placed on the idea that “a judgment must have a clear basis.” Whether in a court ruling, a corporate disciplinary action, or a product review, it is common to first state clearly “what standard is being used for evaluation” and then present the conclusion. This makes the judgment appear objective rather than something that changes according to personal preference. This is also why 「に照らして」 appears so often in written judgments, news reports, and corporate announcements—it is a rigorous way of speaking in which the standard is presented first and the conclusion comes afterward.
▌Situation ①｜A news anchor reports the result of a court ruling
A：裁判所は、被告の行為を刑法に照らして、有罪の判決を下しました。
さいばんしょは、ひこくのこういをけいほうにてらして、ゆうざいのはんけつをくだしました。
The court compared the defendant’s conduct against the criminal code and handed down a guilty verdict.
B：今回の判決は、社会に大きな影響を与えそうですね。
こんかいのはんけつは、しゃかいにおおきなえいけょうをあたえそうですね。
This ruling looks likely to have a major impact on society.
📌 Grammar Point: 「刑法に照らして」 clearly establishes that the court used the “criminal code” as the standard against which the defendant’s conduct was measured before reaching its verdict. By first presenting the standard and then giving the conclusion, the ruling appears to be based on clear grounds rather than on the judge’s personal subjective judgment.
▌Situation ②｜A company HR meeting discusses disciplinary action against an employee
A：彼の行動は、就業規則に照らすと、懲戒処分の対象になります。
かれのこうどうは、しゅうぎょうきそくにてらすと、ちょうかいしょぶんのたいしょうになります。
When his conduct is compared against the employment regulations, it falls within the scope of disciplinary action.
B：わかりました。人事部と相談して手続きを進めます。
わかりました。じんじぶとそうだんしててつづきをすすめます。
Understood. I’ll consult with HR and proceed with the necessary follow-up procedures.
📌 Grammar Point: 「就業規則に照らすと」 treats the “employment regulations” as the standard for evaluation. The employee’s specific conduct is compared against the contents of the rules before reaching the conclusion that it “qualifies for disciplinary action.” In formal workplace settings, this type of wording can help prevent disciplinary action from appearing arbitrary or biased.
Cultural Notes:
- Japanese court judgments almost always follow a fixed writing logic of “finding of facts＋legal provisions＋に照らして＋conclusion.” This format makes the reasoning process appear transparent and allows readers to see clearly which law the judge used when comparing the facts of the case.
- 「に照らして」 is also very common in corporate compliance (コンプライアンス) documents. In particular, when explaining “whether a certain action violates company rules,” it is customary to first identify the source of the relevant rule and then explain the resulting disciplinary action.
- 「に照らして」 is not often used directly in everyday conversation because its nuance is strongly associated with written language and formal settings. Using it while chatting with friends can sound as though someone is imitating legal dialogue, giving the conversation an intentionally formal tone.
How can Japanese 「に照らして」 be understood in comparison with Korean 「-에 비추어」?
The Korean expression 「-에 비추어」 is likewise used to mean “to judge something by comparing it against a certain standard.” Its base verb is 「비추다（to shine on, reflect）」, and it attaches to nouns. It is commonly found in formal contexts such as legal documents and corporate regulations, and its function is highly similar to that of 「に照らして」.
- Example: 이 판결은 관련 법률에 비추어 내려진 것이다.
Romanization: i pan-gyeol-eun gwal-lyeon beop-lyul-e bi-chu-eo nae-ryeo-jin geo-si-da.
Translation: This judgment was made in light of the relevant laws.
The structure of this sentence is almost identical to 「法に照らして裁かれる」. Both first state the legal standard used for comparison and then present the result of the judgment. - Example: 현재 상황에 비추어 볼 때, 새로운 계획이 필요하다.
Romanization: hyeon-jae sang-hwang-e bi-chu-eo bol ttae, sae-ro-un gye-hoek-i pil-yo-ha-da.
Translation: In light of the current situation, a new plan is necessary.
This kind of “current situation／circumstances＋에 비추어” usage corresponds almost word for word to the Japanese structure 「現状に照らして」.
◆ Core difference from 「に照らして」:
The original meaning of 「비추다」 is “to shine on” or “to reflect,” carrying the image of “shining light on an object so that its true appearance becomes visible.” This image is almost identical to that of the Japanese verb 「照らす」. The two languages are highly similar in both word formation and metaphorical logic, so 「-에 비추어」 and 「に照らして」 can be translated in direct correspondence in the vast majority of contexts.
The key to understanding 「に照らして」 lies in distinguishing the subtle boundaries between it and similar expressions. As long as you remember that one means evaluating something against a standard, another means using something as the starting point for an action, and the third means following a rule in actual practice, it will become faster to understand sentences the next time you write a Japanese report, read Japanese news about court rulings, or look through an internal company announcement.
Common FAQs
「に照らして」 means “to judge something by comparing it against a particular standard.” Laws, rules, facts, or experience are treated as points of reference, and the matter at hand is compared against them before an evaluation or conclusion is given. The expression is formal and carries a rigorous sense of being based on clear grounds.
The focus of 「に照らして」 is “comparison and evaluation”: a standard is used to measure the matter at hand. The focus of 「に基づいて」 is using something as a “basis or starting point” from which another action is carried out. Although both can be translated into Chinese as “based on,” their directions of meaning are different.
「に照らして」 is normally followed by cognitive or evaluative actions such as judgment, evaluation, or review, whereas 「に則り」 is followed by actions such as carrying out, holding, or putting something into practice. Both can take nouns referring to rules or standards, but the nature of the following action is completely different.
The most common mistake is using it in contexts that simply mean “to carry something out in accordance with a rule.” For example, when describing “holding an event according to regulations,” 「に則り」 should be used. 「に照らして」 is appropriate only when a standard is being used for evaluation or judgment.
In addition to formal contexts such as legal judgments and corporate disciplinary actions, 「に照らして」 is also commonly used in product reviews, academic evaluations, and policy assessments. It can be used whenever the process involves “measuring something against a standard.”