按照 / 根据: according to
介词 / prepositions
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
按照 + rule/plan + V | 根据 + data/facts + V/判断
Both translate as "according to", but:
• 按照 = follow a rule, plan or custom ("in accordance with"): 按照规定、按照计划、按照习惯.
• 根据 = base yourself on a source or data to conclude or decide ("based on"): 根据调查、根据天气预报. 根据 is also a noun ("basis").
Both go at the start of the sentence or before the verb.
Examples
请按照顺序排队上车。
Qǐng ànzhào shùnxù páiduì shàng chē.Please queue and board in order.
根据天气预报，明天有大雨。
Gēnjù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān yǒu dà yǔ.According to the forecast, there'll be heavy rain tomorrow.
按照中国的习惯，春节要回家过年。
Ànzhào Zhōngguó de xíguàn, Chūnjié yào huí jiā guò nián.By Chinese custom, you go home for Spring Festival.
Common mistakes
✗ 按照调查，… → for a source of data, ✓ 根据调查，…
✗ 根据我，… → for a personal opinion ✓ 我认为 / 在我看来。