HSK 3
按照: According to a Basis in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
按照 + Rule or method + Verb phrase
When to use 按照… — and when not
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.
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
请按照规定办理。
Qǐng ànzhào guīdìng bànlǐ.
Please handle it according to the rules.
我们按照地图找到了车站。
Wǒmen ànzhào dìtú zhǎodào le chēzhàn.
We found the station by following the map.
按照现在的速度，我们天黑前能到。
Ànzhào xiànzài de sùdù, wǒmen tiānhēi qián néng dào.
At the current rate, we can arrive before dark.
Common mistakes
我们规定按照办事。
Wǒmen guīdìng ànzhào bànshì.
Put the basis after 按照: 按照规定办事。
他按照了地图找路。
Tā ànzhào le dìtú zhǎolù.
Attach completion to the main verb, not 按照.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 按照… sentence and check that grammar point first.
按照: According to a Basis FAQ
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.
Related Chinese grammar points
鉴于…
鉴于: In View of / Given
Easy to confuse
Separate the basis guiding a method from a reason justifying action.
首先…其次…
首先...其次...: First and Second
Continue learning
Follow a stated procedure while keeping its steps in order.
地点
Place Word Placement
Continue learning
Place the 按照 phrase before the action it guides.