4 · Expressions (level 4)
According to: gēnjù and ànzhào
a basis to conclude from, a rule to follow
Gēnjù names the basis a conclusion is drawn from; ànzhào names the rule or plan an action follows.
Both words translate “according to”, but they do different jobs. 根据 names the basis — evidence, a source of information — from which something is concluded or decided: 根据天气预报，明天有雨, “according to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow”. 按照 names a rule, a plan, an order or a custom that an action follows: 请按照顺序排队, “please queue in order”.
A useful test: if “based on” fits, take 根据; if “following” or “as instructed by” fits, take 按照. Some nouns go with both — 规定, 要求 — with a small shift: with 根据 the rule is the ground for a decision, with 按照 it is a procedure to carry out. Sources of information (报道, 调查, 研究) take 根据; instructions (说明书, 计划, 习惯) take 按照.
Both phrases stand at the start of the sentence or after the subject, before the verb — never at the end. 根据 is also a noun, “grounds, basis”: 你这么说有什么根据？, “what grounds do you have for saying that?”. 按照 is never a noun, and speech often shortens it to 按: 按时, 按规定.
One English habit does not carry over: “according to me” or “according to him” for an opinion. 根据 needs a source — a document, a statement, a map — not a bare person. For an opinion, say 在我看来 or 我觉得; for a report, 根据他的说法 or 据他说.
The form
| based on a source | 根据调查，… |
| following a rule | 按照规定，… |
| after the subject | 我们按照计划出发。 |
| the short spoken form | 请按时交作业。 |
| gēnjù as a noun | 这有什么根据？ |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
Gēnjù names the source a statement or a decision is based on.
根据天气预报，周末会降温。According to the weather forecast, it will turn colder at the weekend.
Ànzhào names a rule, a plan or an instruction that an action follows.
请按照说明书安装。Please install it according to the instructions.
Neither stands at the end of the sentence, as “according to” can in English.
我们按照原来的计划出发。We are setting off as originally planned.
“According to him” needs a source: name what he said rather than just him.
根据他的说法，事情不是这样的。According to his account, that is not how it happened.
A closer look
The same rule, two ways of using it
根据规定，你不能退票 — the rule is the ground for a decision: “under the rules, you cannot return the ticket”. 请按照规定填写 — the rule is a procedure: “please fill it in as the rules say”. The noun is the same; what the speaker does with it is not.
Speech likes the short forms. 按 covers most of 按照: 按时, on time; 按月, by the month; 按人数, by the number of people. 照 means “just as”: 照我说的做, “do as I say”.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the source is a report or what is known so far, in written style
Chinese uses 据 alone: 据报道, “according to reports”, 据了解, “it is understood that”.
据了解，这家商店下个月关门。It is understood that this shop will close next month.
Written style prefers one-character prepositions, and 据 is the old core of 根据.
How to spot it
- 根据
- 按照
- 按
- 据
Example sentences
根据你的描述，我觉得这是感冒。From what you describe, I think it is a cold.
我们会根据大家的意见修改计划。We will revise the plan on the basis of everyone’s views.
按照规定，图书馆里不能吃东西。Under the rules, you may not eat in the library.
她每天按照医生说的吃药。She takes her medicine every day as the doctor said.
根据这本小说改编的电影很受欢迎。The film based on this novel is very popular.
按照中国人的习惯，过年要回家吃团圆饭。By Chinese custom, you go home for a family reunion dinner at New Year.
8 more example sentences
根据调查，大多数学生每天睡不到八个小时。According to a survey, most students sleep less than eight hours a night.
老师根据每个学生的水平安排练习。The teacher sets exercises according to each student’s level.
按照合同，房租每个月五号以前交。Under the contract, the rent is due before the fifth of each month.
大家请按照号码顺序进场。Please go in in number order, everyone.
根据地图，前面应该有一个加油站。According to the map, there should be a petrol station ahead.
我们只是按照经理的要求做的。We only did what the manager asked.
按时吃饭对身体好。Eating at regular times is good for you.
你说他在说谎，有什么根据？You say he is lying — on what grounds?
Worth knowing (1)
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Gēnjù as a noun
As a noun, 根据 means grounds or evidence, and it is the usual word for objecting that a claim is unfounded. 按照 has no such use.
你的话没有根据。What you are saying has no basis.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
“According to me” is an opinion, not a source. 根据 needs something a conclusion can be drawn from — a forecast, a report, a map — and a bare person is not that. For your own opinion, say 在我看来 or 我觉得.
Gēnjù: based on what you know; ànzhào: following what you were told.
Your turn
8 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.