N2 · Expressions (N2)
にもとづいて: based on
based on, in accordance with
An action that follows a law, a set of data or an experience, and does not depart from it.
基づく means "to be based on", and a noun followed by に基づいて says that an action follows something fixed — a law, a contract, a survey, somebody's experience — and stays within it. 調査に基づいて判断する is "to decide on the basis of the survey". The basis is always marked with に.
Before a verb the phrase is に基づいて; before a noun it is に基づく or に基づいた, and the two are used almost interchangeably: 事実に基づく報告, "a report based on facts". In formal writing に基づき stands at a comma. To say what a thing is based on, make the thing the subject: この映画は実話に基づいている, "this film is based on a true story".
Its nearest neighbour is をもとに, which treats the source as raw material: a novel built out of a diary, a dish adapted from a grandmother's recipe. に基づいて promises more — fidelity. A ruling "based on the law" has not taken liberties with the law, which is why the phrase is at home in official notices, contracts and reports.
The trap for English speakers is the second meaning of "based": a company "based in Osaka" is a matter of where its office is, and 基づく never means that. A place takes に本社がある or を拠点にしている.
The form
| decide on the basis of the data | データに基づいて決める |
| a report based on facts | 事実に基づく報告 |
| the same, with the completed form | 事実に基づいた報告 |
| written linking form | 法律に基づき、… |
| as a predicate | 実話に基づいている |
| negative, before a noun | 事実に基づかない話 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
The basis is marked with に, and に基づいて describes how the following action is done.
規則に基づいて処理します。We will deal with it in accordance with the rules.
Before a noun, use に基づく or に基づいた.
科学的な根拠に基づく説明が必要だ。We need an explanation grounded in scientific evidence.
In formal writing, に基づき replaces に基づいて at a comma.
上記の規定に基づき、会費を返金いたします。In accordance with the provision above, we will refund the membership fee.
To say what something is based on, make it the subject and use に基づいている.
この小説は作者の体験に基づいている。This novel is based on the author's own experiences.
A closer look
にもとづいて, をもとに and によって
Three phrases translate as "based on" or "according to", and each has its own job. に基づいて follows a source faithfully. をもとに uses a source as a starting point and then builds something new on it — a screenplay from a novel, a design from a sketch. によって names the means or the cause, or says that something varies: 人によって違う, "it differs from person to person".
In practice the difference shows in what can follow. A decision, a judgement, a calculation or a treatment is に基づいて; a work of art, a dish or a plan drawn up from notes is usually をもとに. When the source has authority and the result must not stray from it, choose に基づいて.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the basis is a person
name what the person said, wrote or decided, not the person.
目撃者の証言に基づいて、犯人の似顔絵が作られた。A sketch of the suspect was made from the witness's statement.
A basis has to be something with content that an action can follow. A witness is not a basis; the witness's statement is.
How to spot it
- に基づいて
- に基づく
- に基づいた
- に基づき
Example sentences
この映画は実話に基づいている。This film is based on a true story.
調査の結果に基づいて、計画を見直した。We revised the plan on the basis of the survey results.
法律に基づいて判断します。We decide in accordance with the law.
経験に基づく意見には説得力がある。An opinion grounded in experience is persuasive.
契約に基づき、料金を請求いたします。In accordance with the contract, we will invoice you for the fee.
データに基づいた説明をお願いします。Please give an explanation backed by data.
7 more example sentences
国の基準に基づいて、安全検査が行われた。A safety inspection was carried out according to national standards.
患者の希望に基づいて治療の方法を決める。The treatment is chosen in line with the patient's wishes.
この数字は何に基づいているのですか。What is this figure based on?
事実に基づかない記事は信用できない。An article that is not based on facts cannot be trusted.
アンケートの回答に基づき、サービスを改善しました。We have improved the service on the basis of the survey responses.
長年の経験に基づいたアドバイスは役に立つ。Advice drawn from years of experience is useful.
判決は証拠に基づいて下される。A verdict is reached on the basis of the evidence.
Worth knowing (1)
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The noun behind the verb
The verb is built on the noun 基, "foundation", which also appears in をもとに. That phrase is written in kana, with 基, or with 元, and all three are seen; the verb itself is always 基づく.
この料理は祖母のレシピをもとに作りました。I made this dish from my grandmother's recipe.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English uses "based" for a basis and for a place, and Japanese does not. 基づく needs something an action can follow — a rule, a record, a story — and a city is none of these. For where a company sits, say where its head office is.
Based on a fact, a rule or a record — never based in a city.
Your turn
9 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.