従います（したがいます、shitagaimasu）
- to follow

The Japanese word 従います (従います - *shitagaimasu*) primarily means "to obey," "to follow," "to comply with," or "to go along with." It implies adherence to rules, instructions, or the will of someone else. It suggests a sense of respecting authority or agreeing with a particular course of action. It can also mean "to be based on" or "to be in accordance with."

⚫︎先生の指示に従います。 Translation: I will follow the teacher's instructions. ⚫︎法律に従って行動します。 Translation: I will act in accordance with the law. ⚫︎会社のルールに従います。 Translation: I will comply with the company's rules.

従います is a polite and formal verb form, making it suitable for situations where you want to show respect or politeness. It's often used when speaking to superiors, elders, or in formal settings. It is the polite -masu form of the verb 従う(*shitagau*), meaning "to obey," "to follow," or "to conform." It can be used to express agreement, compliance, or adherence to rules, instructions, or someone's wishes.

従います is written with the kanji 従, which means "to obey" or "to follow," and the hiragana います, the polite -masu conjugation of the verb. The root verb is 従う (*shitagau*). Variations in okurigana (the hiragana following the kanji) are not applicable. The word is typically written in hiragana as したがいます when the kanji is not used, which is common for beginning learners. 従います is the masu-form (polite form) of the verb.

⚫︎ 守ります (*mamorimasu*) - to protect, to obey, to keep (rules, etc.) ⚫︎ 守る (*mamoru*) - to protect, to obey, to keep ⚫︎ 従う (*shitagau*) - to obey, to follow (the plain form) ⚫︎ 遵守します (*junshuhshimasu*) - to abide by, to observe (formal) ⚫︎ 応じます (*oujimasu*) - to comply, to respond to

⚫︎ 逆らいます (*sakaramasu*) - to go against, to defy, to oppose ⚫︎ 反抗します (*hankou shimasu*) - to rebel, to resist ⚫︎ 拒否します (*kyohi shimasu*) - to refuse, to reject

上司の命令に従います。 ・Translation: I will obey my supervisor's orders. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates a commitment to complying with the directives of a superior in a work setting.

規則に従いますので、ご安心ください。 ・Translation: Please be assured that I will follow the rules. ・Explanation: This sentence conveys assurance that the speaker will abide by the established regulations, providing reassurance to the listener.

The kanji 従 is composed of the radical 彳(gyou-nyou), meaning "walking, step," on the left side, and the character 人 (hito), meaning "person," on the right. The implication is of a person following or walking behind someone, thus "to obey" or "to follow." The word 従う comes from the combination of these elements, denoting the act of complying with or following someone or something.