# HSK 7-9 Prepositions of Basis: 本着, 基于, 鉴于, 经, 依 | HSKReady Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-7-9-prepositions-290ca2abb2 Language: en Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-7-9-prepositions-290ca2abb2 HSK levels: 7-9 Updated: 2026-10-23T04:57:55.175Z Scope: published website educational content; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app. Learn how to distinguish and use the advanced Chinese prepositions 本着, 基于, 鉴于, 经, and 依 to express basis, grounds, and procedural reliance. Grammar [HSK 7-9 · Word classes › Prepositions › Introducing means or basis](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-7-9#hsk-7-9-g021) # HSK 7-9 Prepositions of Basis and Reliance: 本着, 基于, 鉴于, 经, and 依 Learn five ways to introduce a basis in Chinese: 本着 for a guiding principle or attitude, 基于 for a foundation or reason, 鉴于 for circumstances taken into account, 经 for a process passed through, and 依 for a standard or viewpoint. These uses overlap; the choice depends on the intended meaning and collocation. 本着 guiding principle modifier 的 abstract noun (principle/spirit/attitude) ， main action or decision clause Example sentence 双方本着互利共赢的原则，签署了合作协议。 Shuāngfāng běnzhe hùlì gòngyíng de yuánzé, qiānshǔ le hézuò xiéyì. Following the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, both sides signed a cooperation agreement. 本着 introduces the guiding principle followed by the two parties. A common mistake × 本着昨天的会议记录，我们修改了预算表。 Běnzhe zuótiān de huìyì jìlù, wǒmen xiūgǎi le yùsuànbiǎo. Intended: Based on yesterday's meeting minutes, we revised the budget sheet. For the intended meaning, the minutes are a source of information, not the guiding principle one acts on. 基于 or 根据 is a better fit; compare 本着节约的原则 for a principle. Corrected example: 基于昨天的会议记录，我们修改了预算表。 **Read the full explanation and examples** ## Why Formal Chinese Distinguishes Types of Basis 根据 and 按照 are useful, but a more specific word can make the intended relation clearer. 本着 highlights a principle or attitude one acts on; 基于 presents a foundation or reason; 鉴于 presents something considered in making a judgment; 经 points to a process; 依 can introduce a standard or viewpoint. These are common contrasts, not five mutually exclusive types of evidence. The supplied outline lists 鉴于1 among prepositions and 鉴于2 among conjunctions on PDF page 403, printed page 400. The numbers distinguish entries in that reference; they are not pronounced. Classification can depend on the grammatical analysis. For writing, focus on what follows 鉴于 and how it relates to the following decision or judgment. ## Guiding Principles and Grounds: 本着 and 基于 本着 (běnzhe) introduces a principle, purpose, spirit, or attitude that guides an action. Common phrases include 本着互利的原则 and 本着认真负责的态度. The frame below is a useful example, not a requirement that every phrase contain both 的 and an abstract head noun. The point is the guiding intention, rather than merely the source of information. 本着 guiding principle modifier 的 abstract noun (principle/spirit/attitude) ， main action or decision clause 双方本着互利共赢的原则，签署了合作协议。 Shuāngfāng běnzhe hùlì gòngyíng de yuánzé, qiānshǔ le hézuò xiéyì. Following the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, both sides signed a cooperation agreement. 本着 introduces the guiding principle followed by the two parties. 基于 (jīyú) presents a basis or reason. It can introduce data, facts, needs, theory, or a subjective consideration such as trust: 基于对他的信任. It therefore does not mean objective evidence only. 基于 + noun phrase + 的 can also modify a noun, as in 基于真实案例的专题研究. 基于 foundation or reason ， main action or decision clause 基于目前的实验数据，研究团队调整了分析模型。 Jīyú mùqián de shíyàn shùjù, yánjiū tuánduì tiáozhěng le fēnxī móxíng. Based on the current experimental data, the research team adjusted the analytical model. Correct: 基于 introduces objective data as the foundation for a technical action. 这是一项基于真实案例的专题研究。 Zhè shì yī xiàng jīyú zhēnshí ànlì de zhuāntí yánjiū. This is a thematic study based on real cases. Correct: 基于 + noun phrase + 的 directly modifies a head noun (专题研究). ## Observed Situations and Procedural Steps: 鉴于 and 经 鉴于 (jiànyú) means in view of or considering. It introduces a fact, circumstance, or lesson taken into account in the following judgment or action. It is common before decisions, but does not require danger, caution, an external event, or a compulsory policy change. 鉴于 can be followed by a noun phrase or a clause; 基于 and 鉴于 can sometimes both fit, with a different emphasis. 鉴于 observed circumstance or fact ， main action or decision clause 鉴于近期天气变化剧烈，原定的户外活动推迟举行。 Jiànyú jìnqī tiānqì biànhuà jùliè, yuándìng de hùwài huódòng tuīchí jǔxíng. In view of the drastic weather changes recently, the originally scheduled outdoor activity has been postponed. Correct: 鉴于 introduces an observed circumstance that prompts an administrative adjustment. 经 (jīng) introduces a process or step, often in concise formal writing: 经核实, 经批准, 经双方协商. The following clause gives the result. 经 alone does not guarantee approval, certainty, or validity: 经调查，仍无法确认 says that investigation has not established an answer. In many such phrases, 经过 is also possible. 经 verification or approval process ， main action or decision clause 经多方核实，该消息完全属实。 Jīng duōfāng héshí, gāi xiāoxi wánquán shǔshí. After verification by several parties, the report proved entirely accurate. Correct: 经 introduces the verification process (多方核实) that validates the conclusion. ## Standards and Personal Perspectives: 依 依 (yī), related to 依照 (yīzhào), means 'in accordance with' or 'judging by'. It operates across two distinct registers. First, in conversational or idiomatic frames like 依我看 (yī wǒ kàn, as I see it) or 依你的意思 (yī nǐ de yìsi, according to what you mean), it introduces a person's viewpoint or preference. Second, in terse administrative or legal prose, it introduces binding rules, laws, or sequence criteria. 依 standard, rule, or viewpoint ， main action or decision clause 依我看，这个方案还需要进一步完善。 Yī wǒ kàn, zhège fāng’àn hái xūyào jìnyībù wánshàn. As I see it, this plan still needs further refinement. Correct: 依我看 is a natural idiomatic frame introducing a personal assessment. 各类申请均须依相关规定办理。 Gè lèi shēnqǐng jūn xū yī xiāngguān guīdìng bànlǐ. All types of applications must be processed in accordance with the relevant regulations. Correct: 依 introduces a formal regulatory standard in administrative prose. ## Practical Contrast and Common Learner Mistake - 本着 highlights a principle or attitude one acts on, such as 本着互利的原则. A document can convey a principle, but 本着 is not a general substitute for according to a document. - 基于 presents a basis or reason, including data and subjective considerations such as trust. With 的 it can also form a noun modifier. - 鉴于 highlights something considered in making the following judgment or decision; it need not concern a risk. - 经 introduces a process passed through. Whether it produced approval, a finding, or no definite result is stated in the rest of the sentence. - 依 emphasizes compliance with an established standard or cites a speaker's personal judgment (依我看, 依相关规定). In the example below, the meeting minutes are the information used to revise the budget. 基于 or 根据 expresses that relation naturally. 本着 would instead invite a guiding-principle reading, as in 本着会议提出的节约原则. The problem here is the intended collocation and meaning, not a rule that every concrete document is grammatically forbidden. × 本着昨天的会议记录，我们修改了预算表。 Běnzhe zuótiān de huìyì jìlù, wǒmen xiūgǎi le yùsuànbiǎo. Intended: Based on yesterday's meeting minutes, we revised the budget sheet. For the intended meaning, the minutes are a source of information, not the guiding principle one acts on. 基于 or 根据 is a better fit; compare 本着节约的原则 for a principle. Corrected example: 基于昨天的会议记录，我们修改了预算表。 基于昨天的会议记录，我们修改了预算表。 Jīyú zuótiān de huìyì jìlù, wǒmen xiūgǎi le yùsuànbiǎo. Based on yesterday's meeting minutes, we revised the budget sheet. 基于 introduces the meeting minutes as the information underlying the revision. 根据昨天的会议记录 is another natural option. ## Frequently asked questions **How do I choose between 基于 and 鉴于 when both translate to 'given' or 'based on'?** 基于 foregrounds a basis or reason; 鉴于 foregrounds something taken into consideration. With data-based research, 基于 is often a useful choice, especially in 基于…的研究. With a circumstance considered before a decision, 鉴于 is often natural. Their ranges overlap: do not make objective versus subjective, or safe versus risky, a rigid selection rule. **Can 经 always be replaced by 经过?** In process phrases such as 经核实 and 经双方协商, 经过 is often possible too, with a less compressed rhythm. Compare the whole construction and register rather than replacing every 经 mechanically. This lesson concerns process-introducing 经, not every other use of the character. **Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 403](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=403) ## Continue in the app Full mock exams are available in HSKReady. [![Download on the App Store](https://hskready.app/download-on-app-store-black.svg)Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6791916440?l=en)[![Get it on Google Play](https://hskready.app/get-it-on-google-play.svg)Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.curiolab.hskready&hl=en) [HSKReady App](https://hskready.app/en/app)