Basis Prepositions: 凭、依据、依照
凭 (píng) = relying on / by virtue of — introduces a personal basis, qualification, or piece of evidence: 凭 + N(经验/感觉/证件/努力) + V. Often paired with 就 in a skeptical tone: 凭…就… (基于这么点依据就…, 'just based on this alone...').
依据 (yī jù) = formal 'based on' — cites an abstract, formal ground such as data, evidence, or facts: 依据 + N(证据/数据/事实) + V. More formal/written than 凭.
✅ 警方依据现场证据锁定了嫌疑人。
依照 (yī zhào) = formal 'in accordance with' — very close to the already-known 按照, but more formal/written, typically used with rules, laws, or procedures: 依照 + N(规定/法律/程序) + V.
✅ 请依照相关法律规定处理此事。
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 他凭多年的经验，一眼就看出了机器的问题。 | Tā píng duō nián de jīng yàn, yī yǎn jiù kàn chū le jī qì de wèn tí. | Relying on years of experience, he spotted the machine's problem at a single glance. | 凭 + a personal basis (经验) precedes the action it enables (一眼看出问题). |
| 警方依据现场留下的证据，很快锁定了嫌疑人。 | Jǐng fāng yī jù xiàn chǎng liú xià de zhèng jù, hěn kuài suǒ dìng le xián yí rén. | Based on the evidence left at the scene, the police quickly identified the suspect. | 依据 + formal evidence (证据) is the standard structure for citing a formal basis in an investigation. |
| 请依照说明书上标注的步骤安装设备。 | Qǐng yī zhào shuō míng shū shàng biāo zhù de bù zhòu ān zhuāng shè bèi. | Please install the equipment in accordance with the steps marked in the manual. | 依照 + procedure (步骤) — a formal register synonym for 按照, common in instructions and regulations. |
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