依据 (yījù)

依据 means the basis, grounds, or evidence on which something is based, and as a preposition it means "according to" or "based on," commonly used in legal, academic, and formal contexts.

Meanings

[noun] basis; grounds; evidence; justification (the foundation or reason for something)
[preposition] according to; based on; in accordance with

Example Sentences

法院依据现有证据作出了有罪判决，被告对此提出了上诉。 Fǎyuàn yījù xiànyǒu zhèngjù zuòchūle yǒuzuì pànjué, bèigào duì cǐ tíchūle shàngsù. The court made a guilty verdict based on existing evidence, and the defendant appealed against it.

这项政策的制定缺乏充分的科学依据，引发了专家的质疑。 Zhè xiàng zhèngcè de zhìdìng quēfá chōngfèn de kēxué yījù, yǐnfāle zhuānjiā de zhìyí. The formulation of this policy lacked sufficient scientific basis, raising doubts among experts.

依据合同规定，任何一方违约须支付对方相应的赔偿金。 Yījù hétong guīdìng, rènhé yī fāng wéiyuē xū zhīfù duìfāng xiāngyìng de péichángjīn. According to the terms of the contract, either party in breach must pay the other party corresponding compensation.

你提出这个结论的依据是什么？请提供具体的数据和论证。 Nǐ tíchū zhège jiélùn de yījù shì shénme? Qǐng tígōng jùtǐ de shùjù hé lùnzhèng. What is the basis for this conclusion you have proposed? Please provide specific data and arguments.

历史学家依据出土文物和古代文献，重建了那段失落的历史。 Lìshǐxuéjiā yījù chūtǔ wénwù hé gǔdài wénxiàn, chóngjiànle nà duàn shīluò de lìshǐ. Historians reconstructed that lost period of history based on excavated artifacts and ancient documents.

政府依据最新的疫情数据调整了防控措施，以更有效地应对疫情。 Zhèngfǔ yījù zuìxīn de yìqíng shùjù tiáozhěngle fángkòng cuòshī, yǐ gèng yǒuxiào de yìngduì yìqíng. The government adjusted its prevention and control measures based on the latest epidemic data to respond to the epidemic more effectively.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
科学依据	scientific basis/grounds
法律依据	legal basis/grounds
有依据	well-founded; to have grounds for
无依据	unfounded; without basis
依据...规定	according to the provisions of ...
缺乏依据	to lack a basis; unfounded

Usage Notes

依据 functions as both a noun and a preposition. As a noun, it means the basis or grounds for something, often in legal or academic arguments. As a preposition, it is formal and means "according to" or "in accordance with," similar to 根据 (gēnjù).

依据 and 根据 are largely interchangeable in most contexts, though 依据 sounds slightly more formal and is more common in legal documents. 根据 is slightly more versatile and can be used more freely in everyday speech. Both are important for formal writing at B2 level.

Memory Hook

依 (to rely on/in accordance with) + 据 (evidence/basis) — 依据 is the "evidence you rely on," i.e., the basis or grounds for a claim.