Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “according to” in Chinese! In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of expressing this keyword. While regional variations exist, we will primarily focus on Mandarin Chinese, the most widely spoken form of the language. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
When it comes to formal Chinese expressions, there are a few commonly used phrases that convey the meaning of “according to”. Let’s take a look at them:
1. 根据 (gēn jù)
The phrase “根据” is widely used in formal settings to mean “according to” or “based on”. This expression is suitable for both written and spoken Mandarin and is often seen in official documents, news articles, or academic papers.
根据最新的调查结果，中国的经济增长率达到了6%。
(According to the latest survey results, China’s economic growth rate has reached 6%.)
2. 按照 (àn zhào)
In formal Chinese, “按照” is another common phrase that serves as an equivalent to “according to”. It implies following certain criteria or guidelines to come to a conclusion.
按照公司制定的规定，员工必须每天准时上班。
(According to the regulations set by the company, employees must arrive to work on time every day.)
3. 依照 (yī zhào)
Similar to “按照”, “依照” is often used in formal contexts and indicates conformity or adherence to a specified standard or procedure.
依照法律规定，未成年人不得购买烟酒。
(According to the law, minors are not allowed to purchase cigarettes and alcohol.)
Informal Expressions:
Shifting our focus to informal expressions, Chinese speakers often employ more colloquial phrases in everyday conversations. Here are a few informal ways of saying “according to”.
1. 据说 (jù shuō)
“据说” is an informal expression used to convey information based on what is heard or what people say. It is commonly used in storytelling or relaying rumors.
据说这个地方有一座神秘的古墓。
(According to hearsay, there is a mysterious ancient tomb in this area.)
2. 看来 (kàn lái)
When you want to express something based on your observation or inference, “看来” is a handy phrase to use. It is commonly used in casual conversations.
她今天没来上课，看来可能生病了。
(She didn’t come to class today, so it seems she might be sick.)
Additional Tips:
To effectively use these expressions, here are some additional tips:
- Word Order: In Chinese, the word order is different from English. The phrase “according to” usually comes before the subject in English, but in Chinese, it usually follows the subject or appears within the sentence.
- Context Matters: Always consider the context in which you are using the phrase “according to”. Different situations may call for different expressions or nuances.
- Tone and Politeness: When expressing something formally, it is important to maintain a respectful and polite tone by using appropriate honorifics and polite language.
- Practice and Expand Vocabulary: To further enhance your Chinese language skills, practice using these expressions in various sentences and try to expand your vocabulary related to different topics.
Conclusion
In this guide, we covered formal and informal ways to say “according to” in Chinese. You learned expressions like “根据” (gēn jù) and “按照” (àn zhào) for formal contexts, while “据说” (jù shuō) and “看来” (kàn lái) were introduced for informal conversations. Remember to consider the word order, context, tone, and practice regularly to improve your Chinese skills. Keep exploring the rich linguistic landscape of Chinese as you expand your vocabulary and fluency.
We hope this guide provided you with valuable insights, and we wish you great success in your Chinese language journey. 加油！(Jiā yóu! Good luck!)
