Meaning of 依据
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- according to
- basis
- foundation
How to use 依据
依据 is a formal word used both as a verb, "according to" or "based on," and as a noun, "basis" or "grounds." It is common in legal, academic, and official writing. Example: 你这么说有什么依据？ (Nǐ zhème shuō yǒu shénme yījù?) What is your basis for saying that?
依 (yī) means to lean on, and 据 (jù) means to hold on to as a basis. When you 依据 something, you lean on it and hold it as your foundation.
Common mistake: Learners often swap 依据 and 根据 (gēnjù) freely. Both mean "according to," but 依据 sounds more formal and is used more often as a noun meaning grounds or basis, as in 法律依据 (fǎlǜ yījù, legal basis). Also keep the first tone on 依 (yī). Do not say yǐ as in 以.
依据 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
依 yī · to depend on · 8 strokes
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据 jù · according to · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 依据.
| 证据 | zhèngjù | evidence; proof |
| 据说 | jùshuō | it is said that; reportedly |
| 根据 | gēnjù | according to; based on |
| 依然 | yīrán | still; as before |
| 数据 | shùjù | data |
| 依靠 | yīkào | to rely on; to depend on |
| 依旧 | yījiù | as before; still; to remain the same |
| 依照 | yīzhào | according to; in light of |
| 依法 | yīfǎ | legal (proceedings); according to law |
| 依赖 | yīlài | to depend on; to be dependent on |
| 占据 | zhànjù | to occupy; to hold |
| 依次 | yīcì | in order; in succession |
Questions about 依据
What does 依据 mean?
依据 (yījù) means "according to; basis" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 依据?
依据 is made of 2 characters: 依 (8 strokes), 据 (11 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 依据 an HSK word?
Yes. 依据 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 依据 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 依据 is written 依據.
What is the difference between 依据 and 证据?
依据 is the basis or grounds for a decision or claim. 证据 (zhèngjù) is evidence or proof that something is true. A rule can be your 依据, but only facts or materials count as 证据.
Can 依据 start a sentence like 根据?
Yes. You can say 依据规定，你需要先申请。 (Yījù guīdìng, nǐ xūyào xiān shēnqǐng.) According to the rules, you need to apply first. In casual speech, 根据 or 按照 (ànzhào) is more natural.