follow

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 従 has 10 strokes, the on-readings じゅう and じゅ, and the kun-readings したがう and したがえる. 従う (したがう) means to follow instructions or convictions.
• Basic usage: 従う concerns acting in accordance with something; 従来 (じゅうらい) refers to a conventional or previous state.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What someone follows and what existed before
  • 係員の指示に従ってください asks someone to follow the staff's instructions. 自分の信念に従い describes acting according to one's own convictions.
  • 従来の方法 means the conventional method, and 従来より軽く means lighter than before. The new-product example compares its weight with that of the previous product.