に応じて, に応えて, and に反して
This page explains some phrases related to responding to something.
に応じて
Adjust to/Respond to
に応じて means “To adjust to”, and in some cases “respond to/comply with”.
Examples
- 需要に応じて発注する – Order (new stock) based on demand. (Order in response to demand).
- お客様に応じたプランを作成します – Make a plan adjusted for the customer.
- お子様に応じたレッスンを作成する – We’ll make lessons adjusted to your child.
- 天気に応じて予定を変更します – Change plans based on the weather.
- お客様の希望に応じて作ります – Make it based on your desires.
- 呼び出しに応じる – Respond to being called out.
- 賠償に応じる – Comply with reparations.
に応えて
Living up to
に応えて (にこたえて) means to meet the desires of someone else.
に応えて means that the desire is fulfilled or met. As a result it tends to be used like 答えるように頑張る
Typically used with feedback, opinions, suggestions, or expectations.
Examples
- お客様の声に応えて, エレベーターを設置した – In response to our guests voices, we installed an elevator.
- 人々の願いに応えるかのように、彼が表れた – As if responding to peoples wishes, he appeared.
- ファンの期待に応えるように頑張った – Tried hard to live up to his fans wishes.
- 保護者の要求に応えて、警備員を増やした – Increased security personnel in response to parent demands.
に反して
Against/Contrary to
に反して literally means “Against” or “Contrary to”.
It is almost always only used with intentions, expectations, desires, and laws.
Examples
- 規則に反する行為は罰せられる – Conduct contrary to the rules will be punished.
- 自分の意志に反して、入院された – I was hospitalized against my wishes.
- 予想に反して、彼は合格した – He passed against expectations.
- 天気予報に反して、雨は降らなかった – Contrary to the forecast, it did not rain.
- 社長の意に反する行為は首になる原因になった – Conduct against the wishes of the CEO became the reason he got fired.
- 勝手に座るのは作法に反するので気を付けてください – Sitting down on your own is contrary to etiquette so be careful.
Comparison
に応えて – “Responding” to someone’s desires; I.e. meeting someone’s desires
に応じて – Adjusting to (Adjust as a response to)
に反して – Against. Only used for things contrary.