以 yǐ — to use; according to; so as to; in order to; by; with
我们可以用中文交流。Wǒ men kě yǐ yòng Zhōng wén jiāo liú.We can communicate in Chinese.
Common words: 可以 (kě yǐ)、所以 (suǒ yǐ)、以后 (yǐ hòu)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "according to"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "according to", including 以 (yǐ), 据 (jū / jù), 照 (zhào), 依 (yī). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "according to" covers 4 different Chinese characters — 以 (yǐ), 据 (jū / jù), 照 (zhào), 依 (yī) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 4 characters do not share a sound — their readings span yǐ, jū, jù, zhào, yī — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 以 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 以 yǐto use; according to; so as to; in order to; by; withUseful words: 可以, 所以
- 据 jū / jùsickness of hand; act in accordance with; seize; according to; to act in accordance with; to depend onUseful words: 根据, 证据
- 照 zhàoaccording to; in accordance with; to shine; to illuminate; to reflect; photographUseful words: 照片, 照顾
- 依 yīaccording to; depend on; near toUseful words: 依然, 依靠
Common words for these 4 "according to" characters
Anchor each of these 4 characters in a word you can picture — start with 以 (yǐ) — so "according to" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
可以kě yǐcan; may; possible; able to所以suǒ yǐtherefore; as a result; so; the reason why以后yǐ hòuafter; later; afterwards; following根据gēn jùaccording to; based on; basis; foundation证据zhèng jùevidence; proof; testimony据说jù shuōit is said that; reportedly照片zhào piànphotograph照顾zhào guto take care of; to show consideration; to attend to; to look after护照hù zhàopassport依然yī ránstill; as before
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 4 ways to say "according to".
据 jū / jù — sickness of hand; act in accordance with; seize; according to; to act in accordance with; to depend on
据说明天会下雨。Jù shuō míng tiān huì xià yǔ.It is said that it will rain tomorrow.
Common words: 根据 (gēn jù)、证据 (zhèng jù)、据说 (jù shuō)
照 zhào — according to; in accordance with; to shine; to illuminate; to reflect; photograph
我们在长城前照了一张相。Wǒ men zài Cháng chéng qián zhào le yì zhāng xiàng.We took a photo in front of the Great Wall.
Common words: 照片 (zhào piàn)、照顾 (zhào gu)、护照 (hù zhào)
依 yī — according to; depend on; near to
小孩子很依赖自己的父母。Xiǎo hái zi hěn yī lài zì jǐ de fù mǔ.Small children rely heavily on their parents.
Common words: 依然 (yī rán)、依靠 (yī kào)、依据 (yī jù)
All 4 characters
Open 以、据、照 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.