“According to” in Chinese – gēnjù

Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 根據据 gēnjù means making decisions or taking actions based on reasons or evidence, similar to “according to” or “based on” in English. It’s used when referring to using evidence, following instructions, or making decisions based on specific information.

Structure

根據据 gēnjù + N

根據gēnjù今天jīntiān的de天氣tiānqì預報yùbào， 明天míngtiān可能kěnéng會huì下雨xiàyǔ根据gēnjù今天jīntiān的de天气tiānqì预报yùbào， 明天míngtiān可能kěnéng会huì下雨xiàyǔ
According to today’s weather forecast, it may rain tomorrow.

根據gēnjù歷史lìshǐ記錄jìlù， 這個zhège城市chéngshì曾經céngjīng是shì一個yíge重要zhòngyào的de首都shǒudōu根据gēnjù历史lìshǐ记录jìlù， 这个zhège城市chéngshì曾经céngjīng是shì一个yíge重要zhòngyào的de首都shǒudōu
According to historical records, this city used to be an important capital.

根據gēnjù法律fǎlǜ， 未成年wèichéngnián人rén不得bùdé購買gòumǎi酒精jiǔjīng飲料yǐnliào根据gēnjù法律fǎlǜ， 未成年wèichéngnián人rén不得bùdé购买gòumǎi酒精jiǔjīng饮料yǐnliào
According to the law, minors are not allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages.

根據gēnjù市場shìchǎng需求xūqiú， 我們wǒmen決定juédìng推出tuīchū一系列yíxìliè新xīn產品chǎnpǐn根据gēnjù市场shìchǎng需求xūqiú， 我们wǒmen决定juédìng推出tuīchū一系列yíxìliè新xīn产品chǎnpǐn
According to market demand, we have decided to launch a series of new products.

根據gēnjù你的nǐde回答huídá， 會huì決定juédìng你nǐ今晚jīnwǎn有沒有yǒuméiyǒu晚飯wǎnfàn根据gēnjù你的nǐde回答huídá， 会huì决定juédìng你nǐ今晚jīnwǎn有没有yǒuméiyǒu晚饭wǎnfàn
Depending on your answer, it will be decided whether you will have dinner tonight.

根據gēnjù台灣Táiwān的de法律fǎlǜ， 吸xī大麻dàmá是shì有罪yǒuzuì的de根据gēnjù台湾Táiwān的de法律fǎlǜ， 吸xī大麻dàmá是shì有罪yǒuzuì的de
According to Taiwanese law, using marijuana is a criminal offense.

FYI
Hey there! Just a heads up, both in Taiwan and China, marijuana is not allowed for either recreational or medicinal purposes. It’s against the law to possess, sell, or use marijuana in these places. The consequences for getting caught with marijuana can be pretty serious, including hefty fines and even imprisonment. So, it’s a good idea to leave it behind and enjoy your time here without any worries!

根據据 gēnjù vs 按照 ànzhào

根據据 gēnjù and 按照 ànzhào are both prepositional phrases that convey the idea of “according to” or “based on” in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts.

根據据 gēnjù

This phrase is often used to indicate that something is done based on certain facts, evidence, or information. It suggests a more objective or factual basis. It is often used in formal or professional contexts.

根據gēnjù台灣Táiwān的de法律fǎlǜ， 吸xī大麻dàmá是shì有罪yǒuzuì的de根据gēnjù台湾Táiwān的de法律fǎlǜ， 吸xī大麻dàmá是shì有罪yǒuzuì的de
According to Taiwanese law, using marijuana is a criminal offense.

根據gēnjù歷史lìshǐ記錄jìlù， 這個zhège城市chéngshì曾經céngjīng是shì一個yíge重要zhòngyào的de首都shǒudōu根据gēnjù历史lìshǐ记录jìlù， 这个zhège城市chéngshì曾经céngjīng是shì一个yíge重要zhòngyào的de首都shǒudōu
According to historical records, this city used to be an important capital.

按照 ànzhào

This phrase is used to indicate following a certain standard, rule, procedure, or guideline. It implies a more procedural or systematic approach. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

按照ànzhào你的nǐde意見yìjiàn， 我們wǒmen應該yīnggāi怎麼辦zěnmebàn比較bǐjiào好hǎo按照ànzhào你的nǐde意见yìjiàn， 我们wǒmen应该yīnggāi怎么办zěnmebàn比较bǐjiào好hǎo
According to your opinion, how should we do for the best?

你nǐ沒méi按照ànzhào說明書shuōmíngshū使用shǐyòng， 東西dōngxī壞掉huàidiào我們wǒmen當然dāngrán不bú負責fùzé你nǐ没méi按照ànzhào说明书shuōmíngshū使用shǐyòng， 东西dōngxi坏掉huàidiào我们wǒmen当然dāngrán不bú负责fùzé
You didn’t follow the instructions to use it, so if the item is damaged, we can’t take responsibility.

• “According to” in Chinese 1 – 按照 ànzhào (HSK 3)

• “According to” in Chinese 3 – 依照 yīzhào and 依據据 yījù (HSK 5)