按照: According to a Basis in Chinese
按照…
按照 introduces the rule, plan, method, sequence, or other basis according to which an action is carried out. The entire 按照 phrase normally appears before the action it modifies. It does not merely mean that two things are similar, and aspect markers belong to the main verb rather than to 按照.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
按照 + Rule or method + Verb phrase
Read the structure
按照 introduces the rule, plan, method, sequence, or other basis according to which an action is carried out. The entire 按照 phrase normally appears before the action it modifies. It does not merely mean that two things are similar, and aspect markers belong to the main verb rather than to 按照. Keep the model 按照 + Rule or method + Verb phrase visible while you compare each sentence.
请按照规定办理。
Please handle it according to the rules.
Choose the right context
Follow a rule: 请按照规定办理。 Follow directions or a plan: 我们按照地图找到了车站。 Calculate or judge on a stated basis.
我们按照地图找到了车站。
We found the station by following the map.
Respect the boundary
Do not use 按照 merely to compare two similar things. Do not attach 了 directly to 按照 as if it were the completed main action. Do not place the basis phrase after the main action when that obscures what guides the action.
我们规定按照办事。
(We rules according-to handle.)
Repair the pattern
The basis is placed before 按照: 按照 must introduce its basis, so the order is 按照规定 before the action 办事. An aspect marker is attached to the preposition: The completed action is 找到, while 按照地图 is only the prepositional modifier.
我们按照规定办事。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
请按照规定办理。
Please handle it according to the rules.
请
按照
This part occupies the 按照 position in the model pattern.
按照
Rule or method
This part occupies the Rule or method position in the model pattern.
规定
Verb phrase
This part occupies the Verb phrase position in the model pattern.
办理
按照
This part occupies the 按照 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
请按照规定办理。
Please handle it according to the rules.
我们按照地图找到了车站。
We found the station by following the map.
按照现在的速度，我们天黑前能到。
At the current rate, we can arrive before dark.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Follow a rule: 请按照规定办理。
- Follow directions or a plan: 我们按照地图找到了车站。
- Calculate or judge on a stated basis.
Do not use it when
- Do not use 按照 merely to compare two similar things.
- Do not attach 了 directly to 按照 as if it were the completed main action.
- Do not place the basis phrase after the main action when that obscures what guides the action.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我们规定按照办事。
我们按照规定办事。
The basis is placed before 按照
按照 must introduce its basis, so the order is 按照规定 before the action 办事.
他按照了地图找路。
他按照地图找到了路。
An aspect marker is attached to the preposition
The completed action is 找到, while 按照地图 is only the prepositional modifier.
我们规定按照办事。
Put the basis after 按照: 按照规定办事。
他按照了地图找路。
Attach completion to the main verb, not 按照.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 按照….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 按照…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
按照: According to a Basis Questions
What can follow 按照?
A noun phrase describing a rule, plan, method, order, instruction, standard, or other basis can follow it.
Where does 按照 usually go?
The 按照 phrase normally comes before the verb phrase that is performed according to that basis.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 按照…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 按照… appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 按照…
Cross-checks the 按照 + Rule or method + Verb phrase pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 3; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
鉴于…鉴于: In View of / Given
Compare acting by a standard with making a judgment because of a circumstance.
Continue learning
首先…其次…首先...其次...: First and Second
Organize the procedural steps that 按照 a plan requires.
Continue learning
地点Place Word Placement
Keep the complete prepositional phrase before the action.
Easy to confuse
依照 + 依据依照 for Acting in Accordance With a Basis
Compare ordinary 按照 with formal 依照 across rules, plans, and procedures.
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Organize the procedural steps that 按照 a plan requires.