Prepositions: 按 & 按照 (According To)
介词：按、按照
Use 按 and 按照 to express doing something according to a standard, rule, or method
Place 按 or 按照 before the standard, rule, or method that guides the action. 按 is shorter and often used with simple, concrete standards; 按照 is slightly more formal and used with longer, more complex references.
按 can stand alone before short phrases: 按时间, 按天, 按月. 按照 is preferred before longer phrases: 按照老师的要求, 按照地图. Both mean "according to" and are largely interchangeable.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Prepositions: 按 & 按照 (According To) (介词：按、按照)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：按、按照 pattern
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Understanding 介词：按、按照
The prepositions 按 (àn) and 按照 (ànzhào) both mean "according to" or "based on" and are used when an action follows a rule, standard, plan, or method. They tell the listener that something is done in compliance with a reference point. For example, 房租按月计算 means rent is calculated on a monthly basis — following the standard of months. 按照地图找到了东西 means they found things following the map. The difference between 按 and 按照 is mainly length and formality: 按 is concise and works well with short standards (按时, 按天, 按规定), while 按照 is fuller and pairs naturally with longer phrases (按照他的计划, 按照公司的要求). In practice, native speakers use them interchangeably in most situations, so learning either one well will serve you in all contexts.
Key Points
- 按 (àn) = "according to / by" — concise, often with short standards.
- 按照 (ànzhào) = "according to / in accordance with" — slightly more formal.
- Both introduce the standard or basis for an action.
- 按 is common with time units: 按天 (by day), 按月 (by month), 按年 (by year).
- 按照 pairs well with longer phrases: 按照规定 (according to regulations), 按照计划 (according to plan).
- The two are largely interchangeable — 按 is just shorter.
- Often used in instructions, rules, and procedural language.
Following rules and established procedures is highly valued in Chinese society. The phrases 按规定办事 (act according to regulations) and 按照要求完成 (complete according to requirements) are common in workplaces and schools. Using 按/按照 correctly shows you understand the importance of compliance and order.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
房租按天或者按月计算。
Rent is calculated by the day or by the month.
他们按照地图找到了全部东西，顺利完成了任务。
They found everything according to the map and successfully completed the task.
请按照老师的要求写作文。
Please write the essay according to the teacher's requirements.
按规定，你不能在这里停车。
According to the rules, you cannot park here.
我们按照计划进行。
We proceed according to the plan.
药要按时吃。
Medicine should be taken on time.
按时 = on time / on schedule
按照中国的习惯，过年要吃饺子。
According to Chinese custom, you eat dumplings during New Year.
Common Mistakes
For short, simple standards like 天 (day) or 月 (month), use the shorter 按 rather than 按照. 按照 works better with longer phrases.
For longer, more complex phrases, 按照 reads more naturally than the shorter 按.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
For short standards (天, 月, 时, 规定), use 按. For longer phrases, use 按照.
Memorize the useful compound 按时 (on time) — you will use it constantly: 按时上课, 按时吃药, 按时睡觉.
In workplace Chinese, 按照要求 (according to requirements) and 按规定 (according to regulations) are essential phrases.
When following instructions, 按照 is your go-to word: 按照说明书操作 (operate according to the manual).
Homework
Write six sentences: three using 按 with short standards (time, rules, order) and three using 按照 with longer references (someone's instructions, a plan, a tradition).