Meaning
按照 is a common preposition used to indicate that something is done following certain rules, standards, plans, or instructions. It emphasizes compliance with established guidelines or stated requirements.
Usage
按照 is used in both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in written Chinese, official documents, and formal speech. It typically appears before the noun phrase describing what is being followed (按照 + standard/plan/rule). Native speakers often use it interchangeably with 根据 (gēnjù), though 按照 emphasizes strict adherence while 根据 emphasizes basing decisions on information.
Examples
- 01请按照说明书操作这台机器。.Please operate this machine according to the instruction manual.
- 02我们必须按照法律办事。.We must act in accordance with the law.
Characters
Common collocations
- 按照规定according to regulations
- 按照计划according to plan
- 按照要求according to requirements
- 按照顺序in order, according to sequence
Antonyms
Origin
按 originally meant 'to press down with the hand' and extended to mean 'to follow or control.' 照 means 'to shine' or 'to reflect,' and developed the meaning 'to compare with' or 'according to.' Together they form a compound meaning 'to follow in accordance with.'