〜によると

〜によると expresses according to ~ — reporting information heard from others or describing appearances. Japanese carefully distinguishes between firsthand observation, inference, and secondhand information, and using the right pattern signals to the listener how you obtained the information.

This is an upper-intermediate pattern common in natural conversation and media like news, novels, and dramas.

When to Use#

• When citing a source of information
• When relaying what you read, heard, or were told

When NOT to Use#

• When a different nuance than "according to ~" is intended — check the related patterns below

Example Sentences#

• 報告によると、失業が増えているそうです。 — According to the report, unemployment is increasing.
• 天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。 — According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
• アナウンスによると、電車が遅れているそうです。 — According to the announcement, the train is delayed.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Using 〜によると interchangeably with 〜ということだ — These patterns are similar but not identical. 〜ということだ (it means that / I heard) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
2. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜によると may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜ということだ (it means that / I heard) — Similar