Preposition: 依 (According to)
介词：依
Use 依 to express "according to" someone's opinion, method, or standard
Place 依 before a person (whose opinion is followed), a standard, or a method. The verb phrase that follows describes the action taken according to that reference point.
依 as a preposition is concise and slightly literary. Common fixed phrases: 依我看 (in my opinion), 依你说 (according to what you say), 依法 (according to law). It is shorter and sometimes more elegant than 按照 or 根据.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 依 (According to) (介词：依)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：依 pattern
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Understanding 介词：依
依 is a preposition meaning "according to" or "in accordance with." It is a concise, slightly literary word used to invoke someone's opinion, a method, a rule, or a standard as the basis for action. The most common conversational use is 依我看 (in my view / if you ask me), which is an elegant way to introduce your opinion. Beyond opinions, 依 appears in formal contexts: 依法办事 (act according to law), 依计划进行 (proceed according to plan). The character 依 originally means "to rely on" or "to follow," and this sense of following or deferring carries into its prepositional use. When you say 就依你的方案做吧, you are saying "let's follow your plan" — deferring to the other person's judgment. 依 is more concise than 按照 or 根据 and carries a slightly more personal, respectful tone when referring to someone's opinion.
Key Points
- 依 (yī) = "according to / in accordance with" — concise and slightly literary.
- 依我看 / 依我说 = "in my opinion" — common and natural conversation starter.
- 依 + person = following that person's judgment: 依你, 依他.
- 依 + standard = following a rule or method: 依法, 依计划, 依惯例.
- More concise than 按照 or 根据, with a slightly more deferential or personal tone.
- Can imply yielding or deferring: 就依你吧 = "let's go with what you want."
The phrase 依我看 reflects the Chinese rhetorical tradition of hedging one's opinion — presenting it as merely one perspective among many. This modesty is valued in Chinese discourse, where being too direct or forceful with opinions can seem impolite.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
依你看，这件事该怎么解决？
In your view, how should this matter be resolved?
Asking for someone's opinion
这件事就依你的方案做吧。
Let's just follow your plan for this matter.
Deferring to someone's judgment
依我看，这个问题没那么严重。
In my opinion, this problem is not that serious.
一切依法办理。
Everything shall be handled according to law.
依惯例，会议在每月第一个星期一召开。
According to convention, the meeting is held on the first Monday of each month.
依他的性格，不可能做出这样的事。
Given his character, he could not possibly have done such a thing.
Judging based on someone's nature
好吧，就依你。
Okay, let's do it your way.
Yielding to the other person
Common Mistakes
For citing information sources like forecasts, 根据 is more natural. 依 works better with people's opinions, standards, rules, or conventions.
The correct phrase is 依……来看, not 看来看去. Keep the expression clean and concise.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
依我看 is one of the most useful phrases for introducing opinions in Chinese — memorize it as a unit.
Just saying 就依你 (let's go with you) is a gracious way to yield in a discussion.
依 + rule/law is common in formal or legal Chinese: 依法, 依规定, 依惯例.
In arguments, 依他的性格…… (given his character…) is a natural way to reason about someone's likely behavior.
Homework
Write three sentences using 依我看 to give opinions on different topics. Then write three sentences using 依 + a standard (依法, 依惯例, 依计划) in formal contexts.