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依照 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
依照yīzhàoaccording toHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #11164, Very Hard
依照yīzhàoin light ofHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #11164, Very Hard
yīzhào(yi1zhao4)yi zhao T1
  1. 1according to
  2. 2in light of
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March 24, 2026

依照yīzhào(yi1zhao4)

依照 means 'according to' or 'in light of,' indicating that something is based on a reference or standard. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal or academic writing, to specify that actions or decisions are made based on certain guidelines or principles.

Strokes21Frequency#11164DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese legal and administrative contexts, 依照 is frequently used in documents and regulations, emphasizing the importance of compliance with established rules and traditional practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person 'following' a set of 'guidelines' while holding a 'map' (the character 依 resembles a person leaning on a support). This person is 'following' the directions very closely, which helps you remember that 依照 means to act according to something.

Meanings of 依照

yīzhào(yi1zhao4)
1according to
2in light of
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About 依照

依照Simplified
21Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 依照

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AI Study Notes for 依照

Quick Contrast

根据 (gēnjù) — use 依照 for formal contexts and legal references, while 根据 is more general and can be used in everyday situations.

Usage Notes

While 依照 is generally formal, it is important to note that it should not be used in casual conversation. Common collocations include 依照规定 (according to regulations) and 依照法律 (according to the law). Be cautious with its tones, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

This word is not in the official HSK lists but can be useful for learners at HSK level 5 and above. Students should focus on its application in formal contexts and how it relates to other expressions of compliance or adherence in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 依照 with 根据, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我依照我的朋友的意见' (I act according to my friend's opinion) is less formal; instead, use '我根据我的朋友的意见'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 依照

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Component Characters

依yīto depend on
HSK 78 strokes亻
View full entry
照zhàoto shine
HSK 313 strokes灬
View full entry

How to say according to in Chinese

“according to” in Chinese is依照yīzhào

依照 means 'according to' or 'in light of,' indicating that something is based on a reference or standard. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal or academic writing, to specify that actions or decisions are made based on certain guidelines or principles.

When to use 依照

While 依照 is generally formal, it is important to note that it should not be used in casual conversation. Common collocations include 依照规定 (according to regulations) and 依照法律 (according to the law). Be cautious with its tones, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion.

依照 or something close to it

根据 (gēnjù) — use 依照 for formal contexts and legal references, while 根据 is more general and can be used in everyday situations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 依照 with 根据, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我依照我的朋友的意见' (I act according to my friend's opinion) is less formal; instead, use '我根据我的朋友的意见'.

Write 依照

依
照

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Frequently Asked Questions about 依照

No, 依照 is primarily used in formal contexts, so it's better suited for writing or formal speech.

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