に則って|にのっとって

Means “in accordance with” or “in conformity with.” It describes carrying out an action in keeping with an established rule or standard.

This formal, mainly written expression is used in contexts such as regulations, administration, and business. It emphasizes conformity to an established norm, such as a work rule or technical standard, rather than simply obeying an instruction.

• 1.
  〜に則してN1「に則して」(read そくして) is close in meaning to 「に則って」; when taking laws, rules, or customs as the standard, the two are often interchangeable, but 「に則して」 is less common. To modify a noun, use 「に則した」. Do not confuse it with the homophonous 「に即して」, which means fitting or adapting to actual circumstances.
• 2.
  に基づいてN2「に基づいて」 means to act or judge based on the preceding item, which can be data, facts, laws and regulations, experience, etc. When the preceding item is a law or regulation, the two are often interchangeable; but data or facts like 「市場調査」 can only take 「に基づいて」.
• 3.
  に従ってN3「に従って」 is stylistically neutral and close to 「に則って」 in the sense of 'in accordance with'; they are interchangeable when talking about acting according to rules. Its object can also be commands or others' opinions, carrying a nuance of obedience. Only 「に従って」 can express 'as things change (along with)' or attach to the dictionary form of a verb.
• 4.
  に照らしてN1「に照らして」 focuses on measuring something against a standard, and the following clause is usually a judgment, evaluation, or punishment; its preceding item can also be experience, common sense, or facts. 「に則って」 focuses on acting in compliance with norms and is not used for inferring things by comparing against experience.
• 5.
  に沿ってN2「に沿って」 can also mean 'along' a river or road, which 「に則って」 cannot. In the sense of 'in accordance with', 「に沿って」 usually takes plans, policies, or requests and is stylistically neutral, while 「に則って」 emphasizes conforming to laws or customs and is more formal.
• 6.
  を踏まえてN1「を踏まえて」 means to judge or proceed after taking facts, situations, or existing achievements into consideration—not strictly following them; 「に則って」 emphasizes acting according to standards such as laws and customs without deviating. Both are formal/written, and they generally cannot be interchanged.

〜に則して likewise expresses conformity to a norm, so the two can be close in meaning; に則って specifically presents an action as following that norm. に基づいて marks a basis, に従って can express obedience, に照らして means judging against a standard, に沿って means keeping in line with a direction or policy, and を踏まえて means taking something into account.