按照 (àn zhào) — according to, in accordance with

Definition

Standard preposition 'according to' for following rules, instructions, or established order. More formal and clause-friendly than 按, which is shorter and often pairs with single words.

preposition

according toin accordance with

Examples

按照。
Qǐng àn zhào shuō míng shū cāo zuò.
Please operate according to the instructions.
按照。
Wǒ men àn zhào fǎ lǜ bàn shì.
We handle matters in accordance with the law.
按照，。
àn zhào Shùn xù pái duì, bú yào chā duì.
Line up in order; don't cut in line.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

按ànaccording to

照zhàoaccording to

按 and 照 both carry the idea of according to or following, so together they introduce a basis for an action.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

扌安按

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒu

Sound part声符shēngfú

安

安ān按àn

Same sound today

按 has 扌, the hand radical, and 安. The hand part points to an action done with the hand, while 安 supplies the sound and the idea of being at ease, linked to pressing down.

Open 按 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

灬昭照

Meaning part形符xíngfú

灬Written in full as火huǒfire

Sound part声符shēngfú

昭

昭zhāo照zhào

Same sound today

照 uses 灬, a bottom form of 火 (fire), plus 昭 for the sound.

Open 照 →