For intermediate learners who want to explain why they did something by citing a plan, rule, or source, the pattern 按照 / 根据 (ànzhào / gēnjù) — According To / Based On — is the tool you need. After this lesson, you'll be able to reference a schedule, forecast, or guideline to justify your actions or conclusions in natural spoken Chinese.
The structure is straightforward: 按照/根据 + Basis + Verb. Use 按照 when following a plan or rule, and 根据 when citing evidence or information. Both words go before the main clause, never after.
Example: 按照计划，我们明天出发 (ànzhào jìhuà, wǒmen míngtiān chūfā) — "According to the plan, we leave tomorrow."
This is a voice-based conversation with AI teacher Mei Lin — you talk out loud, not type. Over roughly 10 minutes, you'll practice Citing Plans & Evidence by using 按照 and 根据 in real-time exchanges. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level. The first lesson is free to try, no credit card required to start talking.
You can explore more HSK 4 lessons on related grammar. Another HSK 4 live lesson on 另外 (lìngwài) shows you how to add more points, and the lesson on 果然 (guǒrán) for confirming expectations is another natural next step. To reinforce character recognition, try the free printable Chinese worksheet generator — ready-made packs cover HSK 1–3 vocabulary.
Start with the free lesson above, then continue through the HSK 4 grammar series to build confidence in spoken Chinese.
按照 (ànzhào) is used when you're following a plan or rule, while 根据 (gēnjù) is used when you're citing evidence or information as the basis for a conclusion. Both follow the same structure — 按照/根据 + Basis + Verb — and both go before the main clause, never after. This lesson on Citing Plans & Evidence lets you practice both in live conversation.
You talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in a roughly 10-minute voice conversation. You'll use 按照 / 根据 (ànzhào / gēnjù) — According To / Based On — in real exchanges, like explaining a decision by referencing a schedule or forecast. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you speak and adapts to your level.
Yes — the first lesson is free to try, and no credit card is required to start talking. You can also explore more HSK 4 lessons on related grammar patterns, or use the free Chinese worksheet generator to practice character writing alongside your speaking practice.