How to say "following" in Japanese

• 次つぎJLPT N5approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'following' in the sense of 'next' or 'subsequent': the following day, the following chapter. It points to whatever comes immediately after in a sequence, not to any other sense of 'following'.
  この次つぎ来くるときは、花はなを持もってきてあげよう。↗

  Next time I come, I'll bring you some flowers.
• 通りどおりCommon
  noun (suffix)Here 'following' means 'in accordance with': doing something just as planned, ordered, or expected. Think of following instructions or a schedule, not of coming after something in space or time.
  いまやブッシュ大統領だいとうりょうが当選とうせんしたのだから、業務ぎょうむは通常つうじょう通どおりになるだろう。↗

  Now that Bush has been elected, it will be business as usual.
• 踏襲とうしゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'following' a precedent, former policy, or established practice — continuing with it or sticking to it. Think of an organization keeping the policies or methods of its predecessor.
  私は前任者ぜんにんしゃの方針ほうしんを踏襲とうしゅうする考かんがえです。↗

  I intend to follow my predecessor's policy.
• 追尾ついびCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'following' in the physical sense of pursuing, tracking, or shadowing: tailing a suspect's car, keeping a target in view. Not for 'following' as in next or in accordance with.
• 従事じゅうじJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbOnly matches 'following' in 'follow a profession': it means engaging in work, pursuing studies, or being involved in an occupation. For any other sense of 'following', this is not the word you want.
  私はエイズの研究けんきゅうに従事じゅうじしている。↗

  I am engaged in AIDS research.

Choose 次 for 'following' meaning next in sequence, 「通り」 for acting in accordance with something, 踏襲 for keeping a precedent or policy, 追尾 for physically tailing or tracking, and 従事 only for 'follow a profession'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 次つぎnext
• 通りどおりin accordance with
• 踏襲とうしゅうfollowing (a precedent, former policy, etc.)
• 追尾ついびfollowing
• 従事じゅうじengaging in (work)
• 後続こうぞくsucceeding
• 準拠じゅんきょbeing based on
• 尾行びこうshadow
• 追随ついずいfollowing (in the footsteps of)
• 伝いづたいalong (a wall, river, railroad tracks, etc.)
• 随伴ずいはんattendance
• 末にすえにfinally
• あくるnext (day, morning, etc.)
• 遵守じゅんしゅobservance (of laws, rules, etc.)
• 追従ついじゅうfollowing (e.g. someone's opinion)
• 後を慕ってあとをしたってfollowing (a person to a place)
• 率由そつゆうfollowing (a precedent, former example, etc.)
• 紹述しょうじゅつfollowing (works, thoughts, etc. of another)
• 準行じゅんこうfollowing (a standard, precedent, etc.)
• 襲用しゅうようadoption
• 遵奉じゅんぽうobeying
• 後出こうしゅつlater
• 後掲こうけいlater-mentioned
• に影響されてにえいきょうされてinfluenced by
• フォローfollowing (on social media, esp. Twitter)
• トレースtrail left in the snow (by mountaineers)
• チェックchecking (something) out