按照/根据: according to
按照 (ànzhào) = following / in accordance with (a procedure, rule, standard, or instruction)
Use 按照 when complying with or executing something step by step.
> 按照计划，我们明天出发。 — Following the plan, we set off tomorrow.
> 按照规定，禁止在此停车。 — Per regulations, parking is prohibited here.
根据 (gēnjù) = based on / according to (evidence, facts, research, or what someone said)
Use 根据 when citing something as the source or evidence for a conclusion.
> 根据天气预报，明天会下雨。 — Based on the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
> 根据调查结果，大多数人支持这个方案。 — Based on the survey results, most people support this plan.
Key contrast
| | 按照 | 根据 |
|--|------|------|
| Core idea | Comply / follow | Cite as evidence / basis |
| Typical object | Rules, plans, instructions | Research, facts, testimony |
| Mnemonic | Do it this way | This is why I conclude… |
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 按照计划，我们明天上午出发。 | Ànzhào jìhuà, wǒmen míngtiān shàngwǔ chūfā. | According to the plan, we set off tomorrow morning. | 按照 + simple noun: following/executing a plan. This is the core procedural use. |
| 根据天气预报，明天下午会下雨。 | Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān xiàwǔ huì xià yǔ. | Based on the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow afternoon. | 根据 introduced: citing a source (weather forecast) as the evidence for a conclusion. New element: 根据 vs 按照. |
| 请按照规定，在指定区域内停车。 | Qǐng ànzhào guīdìng, zài zhǐdìng qūyù nèi tíngchē. | Please park in the designated area in accordance with regulations. | New element: 按照 in an imperative/request context. 规定 (regulations) is a classic 按照 object — you comply with rules. |
| 根据他提供的信息，警方找到了嫌疑人。 | Gēnjù tā tígōng de xìnxī, jǐngfāng zhǎodào le xiányírén. | Based on the information he provided, the police found the suspect. | New element: 根据 takes a noun-modifier clause (他提供的信息). The information is cited as the basis for the result. |
What this opens up
These patterns list 按照/根据 among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
按照/根据 is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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