Preposition 依据 — Based On (Formal)
介词：依据
Use 依据 to express formal reasoning based on facts, evidence, or regulations
Place 依据 before the factual basis, law, regulation, or evidence upon which an action or conclusion is grounded. 依据 is formal and typically used in written Chinese, news, legal contexts, and official speech.
依据 can also function as a noun meaning "basis / grounds": 没有依据 (without basis). As a preposition it is interchangeable with 根据, but 依据 sounds more formal and is preferred in legal and academic writing.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition 依据 — Based On (Formal) (介词：依据)
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Understanding 介词：依据
The preposition 依据 (yījù) means "based on" or "according to" and is used in formal contexts to cite the factual, legal, or evidential basis for an action or conclusion. While 根据 is the everyday word for "according to," 依据 carries more weight and formality — you will encounter it in courtrooms, academic papers, government policies, and investigative reports. When a police officer says 警察依据线索抓住了坏人, the word 依据 emphasizes that the arrest was grounded in concrete evidence, not arbitrary action. Because 依据 can also function as a noun meaning "basis" or "grounds," you may see phrases like 法律依据 (legal basis) or 没有任何依据 (without any grounds). Learning to use 依据 will elevate your formal Chinese and help you engage with professional and academic texts.
Key Points
- 依据 (yījù) = "based on / according to" — a formal preposition.
- As a preposition, 依据 introduces the basis for an action: 依据事实 (based on facts).
- As a noun, 依据 means "basis / grounds": 这个说法没有科学依据 (This claim has no scientific basis).
- 依据 is more formal than 根据 and is preferred in legal, academic, and official contexts.
- Common collocations: 依据法律 (according to law), 依据事实 (based on facts), 依据规定 (per regulations).
In Chinese legal and bureaucratic language, precision in citing authority is paramount. 依据 signals that a decision is grounded in established rules, not personal opinion. You will see it constantly in contracts, court verdicts, and government notices. Understanding this word is essential for anyone studying or working in formal Chinese-language environments.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
要依据事实办事。
One must act based on facts.
警察依据线索抓住了坏人。
The police caught the criminal based on clues.
依据公司的规定，迟到要扣工资。
According to company rules, being late results in a pay deduction.
这个结论是依据大量数据得出的。
This conclusion was drawn based on a large amount of data.
这种说法没有科学依据。
This claim has no scientific basis.
依据 as a noun meaning "basis"
法官依据法律作出了判决。
The judge made a ruling based on the law.
我们应该依据实际情况调整计划。
We should adjust the plan based on the actual situation.
Common Mistakes
依据 requires an objective basis (facts, laws, data), not a personal feeling. You cannot say "based on I think."
依据 is for formal evidence and regulations, not personal abilities. For "by means of a personal skill," use 凭.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
If you can replace the word with "according to the law / facts / regulations," then 依据 is the right choice.
依据 and 根据 are often interchangeable, but 依据 sounds more formal — use it in essays, reports, and legal contexts.
Remember that 依据 can be both a preposition ("based on") and a noun ("basis"). Context determines which.
Practice reading news articles — 依据 appears frequently in reports about government policies and court decisions.
Homework
Find three news sentences that use 依据 or 根据 and rewrite them using the other word. Then write four original sentences using 依据: two as a preposition and two as a noun.