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March 24, 2026
依据(依據)yījù(yi1ju4)
依据 (yī jù) means 'according to' or 'based on.' It is commonly used in legal, academic, and formal contexts to indicate the basis for a statement or action, such as '依据法律' (according to the law) or '依据研究' (based on research). The term emphasizes the foundation or justification behind something.
Frequency#6923DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese legal contexts, 依据 is frequently used in official documents and laws, emphasizing the importance of having a strong foundation for decisions. This reflects a cultural value placed on authority and structured reasoning.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sturdy building (the character 依) standing on a solid foundation (据). The character 依 looks like a person leaning against a wall, representing support, while 据 has a component that resembles a base or ground. Together, they symbolize something being supported by a strong basis, helping you recall '依据' means 'based on.'
Meanings of 依据
yījù(yi1ju4)
1according to
2basis
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 依据
依据Simplified
依據Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6923Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 依据
Podcast: 依据
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AI Study Notes for 依据
Quick Contrast
根据 (gēn jù) — use 依据 when emphasizing a formal basis or justification, while 根据 is more general and commonly used in everyday contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sturdy building (the character 依) standing on a solid foundation (据). The character 依 looks like a person leaning against a wall, representing support, while 据 has a component that resembles a base or ground. Together, they symbolize something being supported by a strong basis, helping you recall '依据' means 'based on.'
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the formal nature of 依据; it is often used in written language rather than spoken. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar terms like 根据 (gēn jù), which also means 'according to,' but is slightly less formal. Ensure you understand the context before using it.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 依据 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to reasoning and argumentation. Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced ideas, especially in writing. Review related words like 根据 and 依据的 (the basis of).
Cultural Note
In Chinese legal contexts, 依据 is frequently used in official documents and laws, emphasizing the importance of having a strong foundation for decisions. This reflects a cultural value placed on authority and structured reasoning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 依据 with 根据, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我依据这个规则' instead of '我根据这个规则' can sound overly formal for everyday situations. Always consider the context when choosing between these terms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 依据
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Grammar Patterns of 依据
依据 functions as a preposition (often called a "coverb" in Chinese). It introduces a phrase that comes BEFORE the main verb (我在家吃饭, 给妈妈打电话), unlike English which puts prepositions after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Section 706 ( 2 ) lists a variety of grounds on which an agency decision can be reversed.
5
他们兑换旅行支票时依据的汇率跟兑换现钞时不同。
tā mén duì huàn lǚ háng zhī piào shí yī jù de huì shuài gēn duì huàn xiàn chāo shí bù tóng。
They exchange traveller's cheques at a different rate from notes.
6
目的: 为水罗伞药材的质量评价提供依据.
mù de: : wéi shuǐ luó sǎn yào cái de zhì liáng píng jià tí gōng yī.
Objective : To provide the quality basis crude drug of fordia Caulifora Hemsl.
7
记住, 你投票的依据是这些帅哥的身材,而非为他们的泳裤.
jì zhù, , nǐ tóu piào de yī jù shì zhè xiē shuài gē de shēn, cái , ér fēi wéi tā mén de.
Remember, you are voting on the body – not the swimwear.
Cultural Notes for 依据
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese legal contexts, 依据 is frequently used in official documents and laws, emphasizing the importance of having a strong foundation for decisions. This reflects a cultural value placed on authority and structured reasoning.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the equivalent notion of 'basis' is often more implicit, while in Chinese, 依据 explicitly states the foundation for actions, highlighting the importance of justification.
Frequently Asked Questions about 依据
It's better to use 依据 in formal or written contexts, as it may sound too stiff in casual conversation.
依据 is generally more formal and emphasizes the foundation for an action or statement, while 根据 can be used more broadly in everyday contexts.
It is primarily used in written Chinese, especially in formal documents and academic writing.
