按照/根据: according to

Chinese grammar · HSK 4 · 按照/根据 · By Carson 木林森 · Updated October 2026

按照 (ànzhào) and 根据 (gēnjù) both mean according to. 按照 introduces a rule, plan or instruction that the action follows, while 根据 introduces the evidence or basis for a statement, a guess or a decision.

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

Word by word

Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.

按照 (ànzhào)

Introduces a rule, plan or instruction that the action follows.

Structure: 按照 + rule/plan/instruction, + action

Not: 他按照做了老师的要求。 按照 is a preposition and must come before the verb it governs: 他按照老师的要求做了。

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, prepositions (引出凭借、依据).

根据 (gēnjù)

Introduces the evidence or basis for a statement, a guess or a decision.

Structure: 根据 + evidence/source, + conclusion

Not: 根据他说，明天会下雨。 根据 needs a noun phrase after it. Say 根据他说的话 or 据他说.

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, prepositions (引出凭借、依据).

Compared side by side: 按照 vs 根据.

Produce this pattern without stopping to think about it. GraphChinese drills 按照/根据 across 12 exercises and schedules the review that keeps it.

What this opens up

These patterns list 按照/根据 among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.

• Basis Prepositions
• Prepositions of Purpose, Exclusion and Basis

Questions about 按照/根据

What does 按照/根据 mean in Chinese?

按照 (ànzhào) and 根据 (gēnjù) both mean according to. 按照 introduces a rule, plan or instruction that the action follows, while 根据 introduces the evidence or basis for a statement, a guess or a decision. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.

How do you use 按照/根据 in a sentence?

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.

Where does 按照/根据 come in the HSK sequence?

HSK 4, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.

What does 按照/根据 lead to?

Basis Prepositions (HSK 5), Prepositions of Purpose, Exclusion and Basis (HSK 6). Each of them names 按照/根据 among its own prerequisites.

What is the difference between 按照 and 根据?

按照 means you follow something, such as a rule, plan or method: 按照菜单点菜. 根据 means you build a conclusion on something, such as data or what someone said: 根据他的口音，我觉得他是南方人.

Can 按照 and 根据 start a sentence?

Yes. Both usually open the sentence and are followed by a comma, as in 根据时间表，火车八点开. They can also sit after the subject: 我们按照计划办.

Related guides: All 195 grammar points · HSK 4 grammar · How to pass HSK 4 · The HSK levels, explained