# Chinese Preposition 依据 (yījù) Grammar Guide | HSK 5 | HSKReady

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HSK levels: 5
Updated: 2026-10-23T04:56:58.887Z
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Learn how to use the formal Chinese preposition 依据 (yījù) to introduce rules, laws, and objective standards, plus how it differs from 根据 (gēnjù) and 按照 (ànzhào).

Grammar

[HSK 5 · Word classes › Prepositions › Introducing means or basis](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5#hsk-5-g017)

# Using the Preposition 依据 (yījù) to Introduce a Basis or Standard

The formal preposition 依据 (yījù) introduces the basis or standard used for an action or judgment, such as a rule, data or personal experience. It identifies what the decision rests on; it does not certify that the basis is reliable.

依据 Basis / Standard / Law ， Subject Action / Decision Clause

Example sentence

依据合同规定，甲方必须按时付款。

Yījù hétong guīdìng , jiǎfāng bìxū ànshí fùkuǎn .

In accordance with the provisions of the contract, Party A must make payment on time.

Sentence-initial 依据 introduces a binding legal document as the basis for an obligation.

A common mistake

× 依据我的老师，这次考试并不难。

Yījù wǒ de lǎoshī , zhè cì kǎoshì bìng bù nán .

Intended: According to my teacher, this exam is not difficult at all.

Incorrect: 依据 cannot directly take a person as its object to report speech or personal opinion. Replace it with 据……说 as in “据我的老师说，这次考试并不难。”.

Corrected example: 据我的老师说，这次考试并不难。

**Read the full explanation and examples**

## Core Function and Register

In the HSK 5 grammar outline, 依据 (yījù) is classified under prepositions (介词, jiècí) that introduce the basis, grounds, or foundation for an action or conclusion.

依据 corresponds to “on the basis of” or “in accordance with” and is common in formal explanation, administration and research. Its object names the basis being used: a law, contract, dataset, experience or judgment. It presents that basis as relevant to the action; it does not make the basis authoritative, verified or objectively correct.

Scope note: 依据 can also function as a noun meaning 'basis', 'foundation', or 'evidence' (as in 缺乏依据, lacking evidence). However, this lesson focuses specifically on its syllabus role as a preposition introducing the grounds for an action.

## Sentence Structures and Placement

In this prepositional use, 依据 is followed by an expression naming the basis, such as 合同规定, 调查数据 or 我个人的判断. The resulting phrase can introduce the sentence or appear before the main action after the subject.

At the start of a sentence, the phrase sets up the basis for the statement that follows. A comma helps separate a longer introductory phrase. In the contract example, the basis happens to be a contractual provision.

依据 Basis / Standard / Law ， Subject Action / Decision Clause

依据合同规定，甲方必须按时付款。

Yījù hétong guīdìng , jiǎfāng bìxū ànshí fùkuǎn .

In accordance with the provisions of the contract, Party A must make payment on time.

Sentence-initial 依据 introduces a binding legal document as the basis for an obligation.

Second, the prepositional phrase can be placed after the subject and before the main verb phrase (including after modal verbs or future markers like 将, jiāng). This placement highlights how a specific agent carries out an action based on the cited grounds:

Subject 依据 Basis / Standard / Law Action / Decision Clause

研究人员依据最新的调查数据调整了方案。

Yánjiū rényuán yījù zuìxīn de diàochá shùjù tiáozhěng le fāng'àn .

The researchers adjusted the plan on the basis of the latest survey data.

Placed after the subject, 依据 introduces objective data that grounds the researchers' action.

评审委员会将依据行业标准对产品进行打分。

Píngshěn wěiyuánhuì jiāng yījù hángyè biāozhǔn duì chǎnpǐn jìnxíng dǎfēn .

The review committee will score the products in accordance with industry standards.

Here 依据 appears after the future marker 将 and introduces an official evaluation standard.

## Typical Collocations

Common bases include documents, standards and research findings, as listed below. These are examples, not an exhaustive restriction: 依据自己的经验 or 依据个人判断 is also possible. Evaluate the quality of the cited basis separately from the grammar.

- Laws, regulations, and contracts: 法律 (fǎlǜ, law), 规定 (guīdìng, regulation/provision), 合同 (hétong, contract), 条款 (tiáokuǎn, clause).

- Standards and policies: 标准 (biāozhǔn, standard), 政策 (zhèngcè, policy), 原则 (yuánzé, principle), 制度 (zhìdù, system/institution).

- Objective facts and research: 事实 (shìshí, fact), 数据 (shùjù, data), 报告 (bàogào, report), 调查结果 (diàochá jiéguǒ, survey results).

## Comparing 依据, 根据, and 按照

Learners often wonder how 依据 differs from 根据 (gēnjù) and 按照 (ànzhào), since all three can be translated as 'according to'. Choosing the most natural word depends on formality and whether you are making a deduction or following a procedure.

- 依据 and 根据 overlap widely when introducing grounds for a decision or conclusion. 根据 suits a broad range of everyday and formal contexts; 依据 often sounds more formal. Both can introduce evidence or personal experience. Authority and objectivity are not guaranteed by either word.

- 按照 often emphasizes conforming to a standard, instruction or plan; 依据 highlights the grounds being used. The same object may follow either: 按照合同规定 stresses compliance, while 依据合同规定 presents the contractual basis. 按照 does not always describe a sequence of steps.

For an everyday reference to the weather forecast, 根据 is a straightforward choice. 依据天气预报 is also grammatically possible, especially in a formal explanation; it should not be marked wrong merely because 根据 sounds more conversational.

根据天气预报，明天下午有大雨。

Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào , míngtiān xiàwǔ yǒu dàyǔ .

According to the weather forecast, there will be heavy rain tomorrow afternoon.

根据 is the natural choice for everyday information sources like a weather forecast.

## Common Learner Mistake: Quoting People

To report a person’s statement, name the speaker with 据……说 or 听……说. Bare 依据我的老师 does not clearly express “according to what my teacher said” in the example below.

For this reporting meaning, use 据我的老师说. If a teacher’s advice is the basis for an action, use a phrase such as 依据老师的建议. A personal opinion can serve as a stated basis; the problem in the error example is the missing expression of what the teacher said, not the fact that the source is a person.

× 依据我的老师，这次考试并不难。

Yījù wǒ de lǎoshī , zhè cì kǎoshì bìng bù nán .

Intended: According to my teacher, this exam is not difficult at all.

Incorrect: 依据 cannot directly take a person as its object to report speech or personal opinion. Replace it with 据……说 as in “据我的老师说，这次考试并不难。”.

Corrected example: 据我的老师说，这次考试并不难。

据我的老师说，这次考试并不难。

Jù wǒ de lǎoshī shuō , zhè cì kǎoshì bìng bù nán .

According to what my teacher said, this exam is not difficult at all.

Correct replacement: 据……说 is the idiomatic frame for attributing spoken information to a person.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is 依据 a preposition, a noun, or a verb?**

In the HSK 5 grammar syllabus item covered here, 依据 is taught specifically as a preposition meaning 'in accordance with' or 'on the basis of'. In broader Chinese usage, it also frequently serves as a noun meaning 'basis' or 'grounds' (for example, 科学依据, scientific basis), and occasionally as a formal verb meaning 'to base something on'.

**Can I use 依据 in casual daily conversation?**

Yes, if the context suits a relatively formal explanation. 根据 or 按 may be lighter choices in casual conversation, but 依据 is not confined to official documents. For reporting someone’s words, 据……说 expresses a different function.

**Do I need to add 来说 or 来看 after an 依据 phrase?**

No. When 依据 introduces the rule, law, or data that governs an action, the prepositional phrase stands complete on its own (依据 + Noun Phrase) without needing 来说 (láishuō) at the end.

**Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 398](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=398)

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