Comparing "genju" and "ju"

The main differences between 根据 (gēn jù) and 据 (jù) are in how 据 is specifically used.

Monosyllabic nouns with 据

Basically, 据 can be used with single character words, while 根据 has to use words with at least two characters or more.

• 据 实 报道
• Jù shí bàodào
• according to facts
• 根据 实 报道
• 根据 事实 报道

Pairings with 据

据 can be used with together with 说, 闻, 悉, 传, 根据 cannot. These set two-character phrases are often used in formal and written Chinese, especially in news reports.

• 据说 他 去 上海 了。
• 根据说 他 去 上海 了。
• 据传 首相 将要 辞职。
• 根据传 首相 将要 辞职。

Referring to people using 据

据 is often used when referring to people. Often it is used with "某人说" or "某人看来," just substitute that 某人 with the person you are referring to (or you can also refer to yourself). If you use 根据, you need to use that person's name along with a noun phrase.

Examples

• 据 他 说，灾情 并 不是 很 严重。Jù tā shuō, zāiqíng bìng bùshì hěn yánzhòng.According to him, the disaster was not very serious.
• 根据 他的 说法，灾情 并 不是 很 严重。Gēnjù tā de shuōfǎ, zāiqíng bìng bùshì hěn yánzhòng.According to him, the disaster was not very serious.
• 据 我 看来，他 是 个 很 负 责任 的 人。Jù wǒ kàn lái, tā shìgè hěn fù zérèn de rén.In my opinion, he is a very responsible person.
• 根据我的 看法，他 是 个 很 负 责任 的 人。Gēnjù wǒ de kànfǎ, tā shìgè hěn fù zérèn de rén.In my opinion, he is a very responsible person.

See also

• Comparing "anzhao" and "genju"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语八百词(P.229) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 29) →buy

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