按照 vs 根据: what is the difference?
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.
| Word | Pinyin | What it does | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 按照 | ànzhào | Introduces a rule, plan or instruction that the action follows. | 按照 + rule/plan/instruction, + action |
| 根据 | gēnjù | Introduces the evidence or basis for a statement, a guess or a decision. | 根据 + evidence/source, + conclusion |
按照 (ànzhào)
Introduces a rule, plan or instruction that the action follows.
Structure: 按照 + rule/plan/instruction, + action
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 按照老师的要求，我们每天写一页字。 | Àn zhào lǎo shī de yāo qiú, wǒ men měi tiān xiě yí yè zì. | We write one page of characters every day, as the teacher requires. |
| 他按照说明书把桌子装好了。 | Tā àn zhào shuō míng shū bǎ zhuō zi zhuāng hǎo le. | He put the table together following the instructions. |
| 你按照这个方法做，一定不会错。 | Nǐ àn zhào zhè gè fāng fǎ zuò, yí dìng bú huì cuò. | If you do it by this method, you will not go wrong. |
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。
根据 (gēnjù)
Introduces the evidence or basis for a statement, a guess or a decision.
Structure: 根据 + evidence/source, + conclusion
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 根据地图，银行就在前面。 | Gēn jù dì tú, yín háng jiù zài qián miàn. | According to the map, the bank is just ahead. |
| 根据这次考试的成绩，老师给我们分了班。 | Gēn jù zhè cì kǎo shì de chéng jì, lǎo shī gěi wǒ men fēn le bān. | Based on this exam, the teacher sorted us into classes. |
| 根据我的经验，这种天气晚上会下雨。 | Gēn jù wǒ de jīng yàn, zhè zhǒng tiān qì wǎn shang huì xià yǔ. | From my experience, this kind of weather means rain tonight. |
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.
Where this comes from
The comparison is part of 按照/根据: according to (HSK 4) in the grammar reference, which has the full explanation, more worked examples, and what to learn before and after it.
More pairs: 不敢 vs 不能 · 及时 vs 立刻 · 记住 vs 记得 · 渐渐 vs 逐渐 · 将近 vs 大约 · 竟然 vs 居然 · 既然 vs 因为 · 看不懂 vs 没看懂 · 了 vs 过 · 连…都 vs 连…也 · 没有 vs 不如 · 却 vs 但是 · all 81 pairs.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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