According to: 按照 / 根据
介词 / prepositions
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
按照 + rule / custom + Verb ｜ 根据 + source / data + Verb
Both mean "according to", but:
- 按照 (ànzhào): you follow a rule, habit, plan or tradition, acting in line with something. 按照中国人的习惯…
- 根据 (gēnjù): you base yourself on information, data or a source to draw a conclusion or decide. 根据天气预报…
Tip: 按照 → "do as X says"; 根据 → "from X, we conclude…". 根据 is also a noun: "basis, grounds".
Examples
按照传统，春节要吃饺子。
Ànzhào chuántǒng, Chūnjié yào chī jiǎozi.According to tradition, you eat dumplings at Spring Festival.
根据农历，今年的中秋节在九月。
Gēnjù nónglì, jīnnián de Zhōngqiū Jié zài jiǔ yuè.According to the lunar calendar, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival is in September.
请按照老师说的做。
Qǐng ànzhào lǎoshī shuō de zuò.Please do as the teacher said.
Common mistakes
✗ 根据规定排队 → you follow a rule: ✓ 按照规定排队。
✗ 按照调查，…… → a survey is a source of data: ✓ 根据调查，……