~에 따라서

The Korean expression ~에 따라서 is a versatile and essential grammatical structure used to indicate that a subsequent action, state, or result is determined by, or varies in accordance with, a preceding noun. At its core, it functions similarly to the English phrases 'according to,' 'depending on,' or 'in accordance with.' This expression is derived from the verb 따르다 (ttareuda), which means 'to follow,' combined with the particle 에 (e) and the connective suffix ~어서 (eoseo). When you use this phrase, you are essentially saying that one thing 'follows' the lead or the condition of another thing. It is a foundational concept for describing cause-and-effect relationships where the outcome is not fixed but conditional.

Core Logic

The noun preceding ~에 따라서 acts as the variable or the standard. Whatever follows this phrase is the result that changes based on that variable. For example, if the variable is 'weather,' the result might be 'my mood' or 'my plans.'

In daily life, Koreans use this expression in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from very casual conversations about weekend plans to highly formal academic or legal discussions. It is particularly common when discussing choices, preferences, or rules. For instance, you might hear it when a shopkeeper explains that prices vary depending on the size of the item, or when a teacher explains that grades are given according to the students' effort. It provides a logical bridge that helps listeners understand the criteria behind a specific situation. Without this expression, Korean speech would lack the nuance required to explain complex dependencies.

Furthermore, ~에 따라서 is often used in scientific or statistical contexts to describe correlations. If you are reading a news report about the economy, you might see it used to explain how consumer spending changes according to interest rates. In a more personal sense, it is used to express flexibility. If someone asks you what you want to eat, you might respond by saying it depends on the price or the location. This flexibility makes it one of the most useful 'logic connectors' in the Korean language. It allows the speaker to avoid making absolute statements and instead provide a more nuanced, conditional perspective on the world.

Historically, the root verb '따르다' has always implied a sense of following a path or a leader. By applying this to abstract concepts like 'rules' or 'situations,' the Korean language creates a visual metaphor: the result is literally 'walking in the footsteps' of the condition. This is why you will also see this expression used with words like 'law' (법), 'rule' (규칙), and 'order' (순서). When you follow a law, you are acting 'according to' it. This connection between physical following and abstract compliance is a key feature of how Korean speakers conceptualize the world around them.

Common Usage Scenarios

1. Price variations based on quality. 2. Behavioral changes based on the environment. 3. Legal consequences based on actions. 4. Emotional responses based on news.

In summary, mastering ~에 따라서 is a significant step for any Korean learner. It moves you beyond simple subject-verb-object sentences and allows you to construct complex, conditional thoughts. It is the linguistic tool that enables you to describe the fluid and ever-changing nature of reality, where one thing is almost always linked to another. Whether you are ordering coffee or discussing international politics, this phrase will be your reliable companion in expressing how things relate to one another in the intricate web of cause and effect.

Using ~에 따라서 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical placement and the types of nouns it typically pairs with. The basic formula is [Noun] + 에 따라서. This unit then acts as an adverbial phrase that modifies the rest of the sentence. Because it is derived from a verb, it usually sits in the middle of a sentence, acting as a bridge between the condition and the result. It is important to note that the noun preceding it must be a substantive concept that can act as a variable or a standard of measurement.

Grammar Structure

Noun + 에 따라서 + [Resulting Action/State]. Note that there is no space between the noun and '에', but there is a space between '에' and '따라서'.

When constructing a sentence, you should first identify the 'condition.' For example, if you want to say 'Depending on the season, the flowers bloom,' the condition is 'the season' (계절). You attach '에 따라서' to '계절' to get '계절에 따라서.' Then, you add the result: '꽃이 핍니다.' Put together, it becomes '계절에 따라서 꽃이 핍니다.' This structure is very stable and does not change regardless of whether the noun ends in a vowel or a consonant, which makes it relatively easy for learners to memorize and apply compared to other Korean particles that require conjugation changes.

One interesting aspect of this expression is its flexibility with verb endings. The second half of the sentence often uses verbs like 달라지다 (to become different), 변하다 (to change), or 결정되다 (to be decided). These verbs naturally complement the 'depending on' meaning because they describe a change or a decision process. However, you can also use active verbs. For example, '법에 따라서 행동하세요' (Act according to the law). Here, the verb '행동하세요' (act) is a direct command based on the standard of 'the law.'

Another common pattern is using ~에 따라서 at the beginning of a sentence to refer back to a previously mentioned point. In this case, it often takes the form 그에 따라서 (accordingly / following that). This is a great way to improve the cohesion of your writing. For example, '정부가 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다. 그에 따라서 물가가 오를 것으로 보입니다.' (The government announced a new policy. Accordingly, prices are expected to rise.) This use of '그' (that) as a pronoun for the entire previous sentence allows for sophisticated transitions in both speech and writing.

Advanced Tip

You can also use the form '~에 따른' (the adjective form) to modify a noun directly. For example, '날씨에 따른 변화' (changes according to the weather). This is very common in titles and formal documents.

Finally, it is worth noting that while ~에 따라서 is mostly used with nouns, it can also follow a nominalized verb (Verb + ~느냐에 따라서). This allows you to say things like 'Depending on whether you go or not...' (가느냐에 따라서). This is a more advanced structure, but it shows the incredible range of this expression. By understanding the basic noun-based usage first, you build a strong foundation for these more complex grammatical maneuvers later in your Korean learning journey.

In South Korea, you will encounter ~에 따라서 in almost every facet of daily life, from the mundane to the professional. One of the most common places is in the service industry. If you are at a hair salon, a restaurant with seasonal menus, or a travel agency, you will frequently hear staff use this expression to explain pricing or service availability. For example, a receptionist might say, '인원수에 따라서 방 크기가 달라집니다' (The room size varies depending on the number of people). This usage is polite and clear, helping to manage customer expectations by explaining the logic behind the service.

In the Media

News anchors and weather forecasters are perhaps the most frequent users of this phrase. They use it to link events: '태풍의 경로에 따라서 피해 규모가 달라질 것으로 보입니다' (The scale of damage is expected to vary depending on the typhoon's path).

If you watch Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you'll hear characters use this expression during emotional or logical debates. A character might say, '상황에 따라서 내 마음도 변할 수 있어' (My heart can change depending on the situation). In this context, it adds a layer of realism and complexity to the dialogue. It shows that the character's feelings are not static but are influenced by external factors. It is also used in 'slice of life' scenes, such as when friends are deciding where to go for dinner and one says, '기분에 따라서 고르자' (Let's choose depending on our mood).

In the workplace, ~에 따라서 is indispensable. During meetings, managers might use it to outline strategies: '시장 반응에 따라서 다음 단계로 넘어갑시다' (Let's move to the next step depending on the market reaction). It is also found in every employee handbook and contract. Terms and conditions often state that bonuses are paid 'performance에 따라서' (according to performance) or that working hours may change '업무량에 따라서' (depending on the workload). Understanding this phrase is therefore crucial for anyone looking to work in a Korean-speaking environment.

Educational settings also rely heavily on this expression. Teachers use it to explain rules and grading systems. In textbooks, you will see it used to describe scientific laws or historical developments. For instance, '기온에 따라서 물의 상태가 변합니다' (The state of water changes according to the temperature). Because it links a cause to a variable result, it is the perfect tool for academic explanation. For a student, hearing this phrase is a signal that a logical relationship is being established.

In Digital Spaces

On Korean websites like Naver or Coupang, you will see this in the FAQ sections. '결제 수단에 따라서 환불 기간이 다를 수 있습니다' (Refund periods may vary depending on the payment method).

Lastly, you will hear it in social commentary. When people discuss social trends or cultural differences, they often use ~에 따라서 to acknowledge diversity. '문화에 따라서 예절이 다릅니다' (Etiquette differs according to culture). This usage highlights the speaker's awareness that there is no single 'correct' way, but rather a variety of ways that depend on the context. It is a phrase that promotes understanding and nuance in conversation, making it a vital part of the social fabric in Korea.

While ~에 따라서 is a common expression, it is also a source of several frequent mistakes for Korean language learners. One of the most common errors is confusing it with ~에 의해서 (by/due to). While both phrases connect a noun to a result, ~에 의해서 usually implies a direct cause or an agent of an action, often in passive sentences. For example, saying 'The window was broken by the wind' uses ~에 의해서. However, ~에 따라서 implies a variable dependency or a standard. If you say 'The price changes according to the wind,' you must use ~에 따라서. Mixing these up can make your sentence sound logically flawed to a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Confusing with ~에 의해서

Wrong: 법에 의해서 처벌받다 (Punished BY the law - acceptable in some contexts but often used where 'according to' is intended). Correct: 법에 따라서 처벌받다 (Punished according to the law).

Another common mistake is the incorrect use of the particle '에'. Some learners forget the '에' and just say 'Noun 따라서.' While this might be understood in very casual, fast speech, it is grammatically incorrect and sounds incomplete. The '에' is essential because it marks the noun as the target or the standard that is being 'followed.' Without it, the relationship between the noun and the verb '따르다' is lost. Always remember the full structure: Noun + 에 + 따라서.

Learners also struggle with the difference between ~에 따라서 and ~에 비해서 (compared to). Because both involve a relationship between two things, they are often swapped by mistake. ~에 비해서 is used when you are making a direct comparison (e.g., 'This is bigger compared to that'). ~에 따라서 is used when one thing changes because of another. If you want to say 'Prices are high depending on the location,' but you accidentally say 'Prices are high compared to the location,' the meaning changes entirely and becomes confusing.

A subtle mistake involves the use of ~에 따라(서) versus ~을/를 따라(서). The latter uses the object particle and means 'following along' a physical path. For example, '길을 따라서 걸어요' means 'I walk along the road.' If you use '길에 따라서' instead, it would mean 'Depending on the road,' which is a very different concept. Learners often confuse these because both involve the verb '따르다.' The key is to remember that '에' is for abstract standards or conditions, while '을/를' is for physical paths or objects you are literally following behind.

Mistake 4: Overusing it for 'Because'

Sometimes learners use ~에 따라서 when they really mean 'because of' (~때문에). While there is a cause-effect link, ~에 따라서 implies a range of possibilities, whereas ~때문에 implies a single, direct reason for a specific event.

Finally, some learners forget that the result part of the sentence must match the 'dependency' logic. For example, 'Depending on the weather, I ate bread' is a strange sentence because eating bread isn't usually a variable result of weather. A more natural sentence would be 'Depending on the weather, I might stay home or go out.' Ensuring that the two halves of your sentence have a logical, variable connection is just as important as getting the grammar right. By being mindful of these common pitfalls, you can use ~에 따라서 with the precision of a native speaker.

In Korean, there are several expressions that share a similar meaning with ~에 따라서, but each has its own unique nuance and specific context of use. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the most appropriate word for the situation and make your Korean sound more natural and sophisticated. The most direct alternative is ~에 따라. As mentioned before, this is simply the shorter version. It is used more frequently in written Korean, such as in news reports, academic papers, and official documents, because it is more concise. In spoken Korean, both are used, but '~에 따라서' can sound slightly more explanatory.

~에 의하면 (According to...)

This is specifically used when citing a source of information. For example, '뉴스에 의하면' (According to the news). While ~에 따라서 can also be used this way, ~에 의하면 is the standard for reporting what someone else said or what a document states.

Another similar expression is ~에 의거하여 (Based on / In accordance with). This is a very formal, often legal or administrative term. You will see it in contracts or official government announcements. While ~에 따라서 is common and versatile, ~에 의거하여 is strictly reserved for situations where something is being done in strict compliance with a law, a principle, or a specific piece of evidence. Using this in a casual conversation about the weather would sound very strange and overly stiff.

For situations where you want to emphasize the 'basis' or 'foundation' of an action, you might use ~을/를 토대로 or ~을/를 바탕으로. These both mean 'based on.' For example, '실험 결과를 토대로 보고서를 썼습니다' (I wrote the report based on the experiment results). While ~에 따라서 focuses on the variation or the following of a standard, these phrases focus on the underlying foundation. If the relationship is more about 'building upon' something rather than 'varying according to' something, these are the better choices.

If you want to express that something is 'proportionate' to something else, you can use ~에 비례하여. This is more mathematical or scientific. For example, '수요에 비례하여 가격이 오릅니다' (Prices rise in proportion to demand). While ~에 따라서 covers this meaning generally, ~에 비례하여 is much more specific about the mathematical relationship between the two variables. It is commonly used in economics and physics contexts.

~에 맞춰서 (In line with / To match)

This expression is used when you adjust one thing to fit another. For example, '음악에 맞춰서 춤을 춰요' (Dance to the music). It implies a more active adjustment than the somewhat more passive 'following' of ~에 따라서.

Lastly, in very informal speech, Koreans might just use ~보고 or ~따라 without the '에'. However, these are limited to specific slang or regional dialects and are not recommended for learners. By mastering the core expression ~에 따라서 and understanding when to use these alternatives, you will be able to express complex relationships with clarity and precision, regardless of whether you are in a boardroom, a classroom, or a coffee shop.