Basis Prepositions: 凭、依据、依照
凭 (píng), 依据 (yījù) and 依照 (yīzhào) are prepositions that introduce the basis for what comes next. 凭 means relying on or by virtue of, while 依据 and 依照 mean according to, and they suit rules, facts and formal writing.
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. |
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.
凭 (píng)
Introduces the thing a person relies on, such as experience, proof or effort.
Structure: 凭 + noun phrase，+ verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 凭这张票，你可以免费进入博物馆。 | Píng zhè zhāng piào, nǐ kě yǐ miǎn fèi jìn rù bó wù guǎn. | With this ticket, you can enter the museum for free. |
| 他凭自己的努力，考上了理想的大学。 | Tā píng zì jǐ de nǔ lì, kǎo shàng le lǐ xiǎng de dà xué. | Through his own effort, he got into his dream university. |
| 你凭什么说我没有努力？ | Nǐ píng shén me shuō wǒ méi yǒu nǔ lì? | On what grounds do you say I did not try hard? |
Not: 他凭很努力考上了大学。 凭 takes a noun phrase, not an adjective. Say 他凭努力 or 他凭自己的努力。
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, prepositions (引出凭借、依据).
依据 (yī jù)
Formal way to say "based on", used with facts, data and evidence.
Structure: 依据 + evidence or data，+ verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 法院依据合同的条款作出了判决。 | Fǎ yuàn yī jù hé tóng de tiáo kuǎn zuò chū le pàn jué. | The court gave its ruling on the basis of the contract terms. |
| 医生依据检查结果制定了治疗方案。 | Yī shēng yī jù jiǎn chá jié guǒ zhì dìng le zhì liáo fāng àn. | The doctor drew up the treatment plan based on the test results. |
| 老师依据学生的成绩来分班。 | Lǎo shī yī jù xué shēng de chéng jì lái fēn bān. | The teacher sorts the classes according to students' grades. |
Not: 依据我朋友说，这家店不错。 依据 takes evidence such as data, not what a person said. Use 据我朋友说 or 听我朋友说。
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, prepositions (引出凭借、依据).
依照 (yī zhào)
Formal way to say "in line with", used with rules, laws and instructions.
Structure: 依照 + rule or procedure，+ verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我们依照规定，每年检查一次设备。 | Wǒ men yī zhào guī dìng, měi nián jiǎn chá yí cì shè bèi. | In line with the rules, we inspect the equipment once a year. |
| 请依照老师的要求完成练习。 | Qǐng yī zhào lǎo shī de yāo qiú wán chéng liàn xí. | Please finish the exercises as the teacher requires. |
| 公司依照合同向客户发货。 | Gōng sī yī zhào hé tóng xiàng kè hù fā huò. | The company ships to the customer in accordance with the contract. |
Not: 依照天气去不去。 依照 pairs with rules or instructions that you follow. Use 看天气 for "depends on the weather".
Compared side by side: 凭 vs 依据.
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
Questions about Basis Prepositions
What does 凭借介词 (Basis Prepositions) mean in Chinese?
凭 (píng), 依据 (yījù) and 依照 (yīzhào) are prepositions that introduce the basis for what comes next. 凭 means relying on or by virtue of, while 依据 and 依照 mean according to, and they suit rules, facts and formal writing. It is an HSK 5 grammar point.
How do you use 凭借介词 (Basis Prepositions) in a sentence?
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).
What do you need to know before 凭借介词 (Basis Prepositions)?
按照/根据 (HSK 4). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What is the difference between 凭 and 依据?
凭 is what a person relies on, and can sound doubtful: 凭什么? 依据 is formal and cites hard evidence like data or the law. 凭经验 and 依据数据 are typical.
Is 依照 the same as 按照?
Almost. 依照 is more formal and fits laws and procedures. 按照 is common in daily speech: 按照我的话做。
Basis Prepositions 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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