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HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min read

作为, 按 and 按照 for Roles and Rules

Use 作为 to say what role you speak or act from, and 按 or 按照 to say which rule, plan or order you follow.

Pattern

作为 + role, …; 按 / 按照 + rule, plan or order + verb

作为 names the role you speak from; 按照 names the rule or plan you follow.

作为班长，他每天最早到教室。

When to use 作为, 按 and 按照 for Roles and Rules

作为 (zuòwéi) means “as” in the sense of a role or identity, and usually starts the sentence: 作为学生，我们应该按时上课. 按 and 按照 mean “according to, following” a rule, plan or order, and go before the verb: 按照老师说的做. 按照 needs a word of two or more syllables after it (按照规定), while 按 can also take a single syllable: 按月, 按人, 按时.

请按照老师说的做。

Please do as the teacher said.

我们按照计划下午三点出发。

As planned, we’ll set off at 3 p.m.

请大家按顺序上车。

Please get on the bus in order, everyone.

作为朋友，我觉得你应该告诉她。

As your friend, I think you should tell her.

Common traps

  • Don’t put a one-syllable word after 按照: say 按月交费, not 按照月交费.
  • For information and data use 根据: 根据天气预报，明天会下雨, not 按照天气预报，明天会下雨.
  • 作为 introduces a role, not a reason: 因为我很累，所以不去了, not 作为我很累，我不去了.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

规定，访客必须登记

According to the rules, visitors must register
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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