Understanding "根据" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 根据
• Pinyin: gēn jù
• Literal Meaning: “root / basis” + “rely on / evidence”
• Primary Meaning: according to; on the basis of; based on

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 根据 is a common preposition (and sometimes a noun) used to introduce the source, evidence, rule, fact, or standard that something is based on. English speakers often map it to “according to,” “based on,” or “in light of.” It is slightly more formal than everyday speech and appears frequently in news, reports, instructions, academic writing, and official statements. It usually comes before the basis and is followed by a conclusion, decision, or statement. A useful nuance: 根据 stresses the factual or evidential foundation more than the similar word 按照, which can feel closer to “in accordance with” a procedure or standard. As a noun, 根据 can also mean “basis” or “grounds,” as in “there is no basis for that claim.”
• Character Breakdown: 根 (gēn) means “root,” “origin,” or “foundation,” the underlying thing something grows from or rests on. 据 (jù) means “to rely on,” “according to,” or “evidence.” Together they form the idea of relying on a root or foundation—hence “based on” or “according to.”

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 根据天气预报，明天会下雨。
• Pinyin: Gēn jù tiānqì yùbào, míngtiān huì xià yǔ.

• English: According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.

• Chinese: 我们根据实际情况制定了计划。

• Pinyin: Wǒmen gēn jù shíjì qíngkuàng zhìdìng le jìhuà.

• English: We made the plan based on the actual situation.

• Chinese: 根据学校的规定，学生必须准时上课。

• Pinyin: Gēn jù xuéxiào de guīdìng, xuéshēng bìxū zhǔnshí shàngkè.
• English: According to the school rules, students must arrive for class on time.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

根据 is a staple of formal Chinese communication. You will see it constantly in government notices, news reports, contracts, and academic papers whenever a claim needs a stated source or basis. In Chinese rhetorical style, citing a clear 根据—a law, a fact, data, or an authority—often makes a statement sound more objective and credible. Learners sometimes overuse it in casual chat; in everyday conversation, simpler phrasing is often more natural, while 根据 fits better when you are explaining a reason grounded in evidence or rules.

Conclusion

Remember 根据 (gēn jù) as “according to” or “based on”: it points to the root or evidence behind a statement or decision. Use it when you want to show what your information, rule, or plan rests on, especially in clearer or more formal Chinese.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 根据
• Wiktionary: 根据
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.