按照 vs 根据 (in accordance with vs based on)
Follow the rule, or cite the evidence?
- Both mean "according to / based on" — but the relationship differs.
- according to按照 = in accordance with (you comply with a rule / plan).
- according to根据 = on the basis of (you infer from evidence / facts).
according to按照 = comply with
- according to按照to stipulate规定to handle办理 = "handle it according to the rules." (you follow them)
according to按照the rules规定handle办理。
- according to按照to stipulate规定to handle办理 = "handle it per the rules."
Practice
Handle it according to the rules: ____ 规定办理。
按照 = in accordance with: 按照规定办理.
according to根据 = based on (evidence)
- according to根据circumstances情况to decide (to do something)决定 = "decide based on the situation." (you reason from it)
based on根据the situation情况decide决定。
- according to根据circumstances情况to decide (to do something)决定 = "decide based on the situation."
Explore
Which column does it belong in?
Rules and plans accept either word; evidence-sources and the NOUN meaning 'grounds' belong to 根据 alone.
Practice
Which means “comply with (a rule / plan)”?
按照 = comply with; 根据 = infer from evidence.
Practice
根据 reasons from evidence / facts (根据情况).
Yes — 根据情况决定 (decide based on the situation).
Recap
Key idea
- according to按照 = in accordance with (comply): according to按照to stipulate规定
- according to根据 = on the basis of (infer): according to根据circumstances情况
- according to按照 follows a rule; according to根据 reasons from evidence
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Comparing similar adverbs.