Expressing “based on...” with 依据, 根据, and 据
These prepositions indicate some standard, idea, or basis for which an action takes place.
The preposition 依据
The preposition 依据 
is used mostly in the legislative sphere — in official and legal documents.
is used mostly in the legislative sphere — in official and legal documents. Pay attention
The object which is used with 依据 should indicate an abstract phenomenon.
Examples
依据最新的法律，所有的外国人都必须在到达后一周内登记
According to the latest legislation, all foreigners must be registered within one week of arrival
yījù zuìxīn de fǎlǜ, suǒyǒu de wàiguórén dōu bìxū zài dàodá hòu yì zhōu nèi dēngjì
任何依据这些证据的行动都将是错的
Any action based on this evidence would be wrong
rènhé yījù zhèxiē zhèngjù de xíngdòng dōu jiāng shì cuò de
我们不能依据别人的经济情况来评判他们
We can't judge people based on their financial situation
wǒmen bù néng yījù biérén de jīngjì qíngkuàng lái píngpàn tāmen
依据 as a noun
We also can use 依据 as a noun to express “foundation” or “basis”.
Examples
这些文章没有科学依据
These articles have no scientific basis
zhè xiē wénzhāng méi yǒu kēxué yījù
作出这个决定的依据是什么？
What is the basis of this decision?
zuòchū zhè ge juédìng de yījù shì shénme
The noun 依据 is mostly used as a part of the structure 以…为依据的 .
.Scheme
subject
以
object
为依据的
Examples
这部电影是以一个真实的故事为依据的
This movie is based on a true story
zhè bù diànyǐng shì yǐ yí ge zhēnshí de gùshì wèi yījù de
本排名主要是以人口的数量为依据的
This ranking is mainly based on the size of population
běn páimíng zhǔyào shi yǐ rénkǒu de shùliàng wèi yījù de
The preposition 根据
We state the preposition 根据 before a noun or a phrase that consists of two or more syllables.
We usually use 根据 in written formal speech.
before a noun or a phrase that consists of two or more syllables.
We usually use 根据 in written formal speech. Pay attention
We use 根据 to point out that we not only follow someone else's opinion or rules, but also to express our own conclusions from other data.
Examples
我们还可以根据云上的光彩现象,推测天气的情况
According to the latest legislation, all foreigners must be registered within one week of arrival
wǒmen hái kěyǐ gēnjù yún shàng de guāngcǎi xiànxiàng, tuīcè tiānqì de qíngkuàng
这部电影是根据真人真事拍的
Any action based on this evidence would be wrong
zhè bù diànyǐng shì gēnjù zhēnrén zhēn shì pāi de
根据新的法律，我们不能招聘没打疫苗的工人
We can't judge people based on their financial situation
gēnjù xīn de fǎlǜ, wǒmen bù néng zhāopìn méi dǎ yìmiáo de gōngrén
依据 as a noun
We also can use 依据 as a noun to express “foundation” or “basis”.
Examples
你的话是没有根据的
Your words have no basis
nǐ dehuà shì méi yǒu gēnjù de
The preposition 据
The preposition 据 is usually stated at the beginning of a sentence. After the preposition, we should state the basis for the rest of the statement. Words like “statement”, “opinion”, “rumor” can be used.
is usually stated at the beginning of a sentence. After the preposition, we should state the basis for the rest of the statement. Words like “statement”, “opinion”, “rumor” can be used.Examples
据专家介绍，这个消息并不准确
According to experts, this news is not accurate
jù zhuānjiā jièshào, zhè ge xiāoxi bìng bù zhǔnquè
据统计，大多数家庭有一到两个子女
According to statistics, most families have one or two children
jù tǒngjì, dàduōshǔ jiātíng yǒu yí dào liǎng ge zǐnǚ
Remember the following set word combinations with 据:
据说
据闻
据悉
据传
They are commonly used in written language or news publications.
据闻
据悉
据传
They are commonly used in written language or news publications.