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Prepositions of Basis and Role in Chinese: 作为, 按, and 按照
This lesson explains how to use the prepositions 作为 (as, in the capacity of) and 按 / 按照 (according to, in accordance with) to introduce a basis, role, or standard for an action.
作为一名医生，他非常关心病人。
作为 introduces the professional identity (a doctor) that forms the basis for his attitude.
× 作为公司规定，今天不用加班。
For the intended “according to” meaning, 公司规定 is a standard being followed, not the role introduced by 作为. Use 按照公司规定 as in the next example.
Corrected example: 按照公司规定，今天不用加班。
Read the full explanation and examples
Overview: Introducing Basis, Standard, and Role
This HSK 4 outline item groups 作为, 按 and 按照 under introducing a basis or reliance (引出凭借、依据). In the neutral integrated patterns taught here, place the phrase before the main predicate or at the beginning to frame the action or viewpoint.
Although they share the broad grammatical category of introducing a basis, they divide the task clearly: 作为 introduces an identity, role, or capacity, whereas 按 and 按照 introduce a rule, plan, method, or measurement standard.
Using 作为 to Introduce a Role or Identity
As a preposition, 作为 means “as” or “in the capacity of”. It introduces a role, status or category as the standpoint for a responsibility, opinion or action. It often precedes the subject or stands between the subject and predicate.
作为一名医生，他非常关心病人。
作为 introduces the professional identity (a doctor) that forms the basis for his attitude.
我们作为父母，应该多听听孩子的想法。
作为 can also be placed directly after the subject 我们.
Using 按 and 按照 to Follow a Standard or Rule
按 and 按照 introduce a standard, rule, plan or order being followed. For the basic pattern, place this phrase before the main verb: 我们按计划工作 or 我们按照计划工作.
请大家按时间顺序排队。
按 introduces the sorting standard (time order) before the verb 排队.
我们按照原来的计划继续工作。
按照 introduces a longer modified noun phrase (原来的计划).
How to Choose Between 按 and 按照
In many everyday sentences, 按 and 按照 are interchangeable because they share the same core meaning. However, Chinese prosody (syllable rhythm) and formality create clear preferences in specific contexts:
- Short unit expressions commonly use 按: 按斤、按月、按次. 小时 has two syllables and still naturally occurs in 按小时收费. These are collocation preferences, not a rule that 按照 always requires at least two syllables or that 按 cannot precede a long phrase.
- Fixed expressions and measurement: Short commercial or scheduling expressions like selling by weight or paying by the month naturally use 按.
- Formality and sentence-initial position: 按照 sounds slightly more formal and complete when placed at the very start of a sentence before a complex noun phrase (such as "according to the latest regulations of the school").
这种水果按斤卖。
按斤卖 is a familiar unit-based expression. Learn 按斤 as a collocation, rather than deriving the choice from syllable count alone.
请大家按名单上的顺序排队。
按 works before the longer phrase 名单上的顺序. Compare the next sentence, which uses 按照 with the same instruction.
请大家按照名单上的顺序排队。
按照 introduces the same ordering standard as 按 in the preceding sentence. Both are natural here.
Common Learner Mistake: Confusing Role with Rule
For the intended meaning “according to company rules”, use 按 or 按照 in this group. 作为 introduces a role or capacity instead. A rule can still appear in a different 作为 construction, such as 把这一条作为公司规定 (“treat this as a company rule”); that does not mean “follow company rules”.
× 作为公司规定，今天不用加班。
For the intended “according to” meaning, 公司规定 is a standard being followed, not the role introduced by 作为. Use 按照公司规定 as in the next example.
Corrected example: 按照公司规定，今天不用加班。
按照公司规定，今天不用加班。
按照 introduces the applicable company rules. The day, overtime statement and intended policy basis are unchanged.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put the 按 or 按照 phrase at the end of the sentence like "according to" in English?
For the neutral pattern, put it before the predicate: 我们按照原计划继续工作. A separately paused afterthought, such as 我们继续工作——按照原计划, is possible in speech or expressive writing. Learn the integrated pattern first without treating every later phrase as ungrammatical.
Can 作为 only be followed by people and jobs?
Mostly it introduces human roles (like student, friend, or manager), but it can also introduce the status or category of a place or thing, such as introducing a city as a cultural center.
Why are 作为, 按, and 按照 listed together in HSK 4?
In the supplied 2025-11 HSK outline (with a 2026-07 implementation label), they are grouped at Level 4 under prepositions that introduce a basis or standard. Check your official test center information to confirm which syllabus edition applies to a specific booked exam.
