Based on, in accordance with: 〜に基づいて
N + に基づいて／に基づき／に基づく + N／に基づいた + N
N + に基づいて (に基づき, に基づく／に基づいた + N): based strictly on a rule, data or facts. Written, legal, administrative register.
In short
〜に基づいて means “based on, in accordance with”: you act strictly on the basis of data, rules, facts or experience. 基づく is written with 基, the kanji for “base, foundation” (基本, 基礎). Written, legal and administrative register.
- 法律に基づいて判断します。ほうりつにもとづいてはんだんします。We will reach a decision in accordance with the law.
- アンケートの結果に基づき、サービスを見直した。あんけーとのけっかにもとづき、さーびすをみなおした。We reviewed our service based on the survey results.
- これは実際の事件に基づいた小説だ。これはじっさいのじけんにもとづいたしょうせつだ。This is a novel based on a real case.
- 事実に基づかない報道は許されない。じじつにもとづかないほうどうはゆるされない。Reporting that isn't based on facts is unacceptable.
The basics
基づく is “to rest on a base”. 〜に基づいて presents an action or decision as firmly grounded in a reference: a law, a regulation, figures, facts, experience. The reference isn't transformed: it serves as foundation and justification.
It's the vocabulary of courts, government offices, company reports and scientific papers. In conversation, you'd more simply say 〜を見て, 〜によると, 〜どおりに.
We reviewed our service based on the survey results.
- noun
- grammatical form
- verb
- 長年の経験に基づいて、アドバイスをしています。ながねんのけいけんにもとづいて、あどばいすをしています。I give advice based on many years of experience.
- 会社の規則に基づき、遅刻は三回で一日の欠勤とします。かいしゃのきそくにもとづき、ちこくはさんかいでいちにちのけっきんとします。In accordance with company rules, three late arrivals count as one day's absence.
How to form it
You attach it to a noun with に. To describe a noun, there are two forms: に基づく (written, more fixed) and に基づいた (more common). に基づき is the continuative form used in official texts.
| Construction | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|
| N + に基づいて | 法律に基づいて判断する | written, formal |
| N + に基づき | 規則に基づき決定する | very written, administrative |
| N + に基づく + N | 事実に基づく報道 | written, press |
| N + に基づいた + N | データに基づいた計画 | written, a little more common |
- これは科学的なデータに基づく予測です。これはかがくてきなでーたにもとづくよそくです。This is a forecast based on scientific data.
- お客様の声に基づいた新しいメニューを作りました。おきゃくさまのこえにもとづいたあたらしいめにゅーをつくりました。We've created a new menu based on our customers' feedback.
に基づいて or をもとに?
Both talk about a basis, but not in the same way. に基づいて sticks strictly to the reference: you act in accordance with it, without departing from it (a decision in line with the law). をもとに (next point) takes the basis as a starting material that you freely transform (a film inspired by a true story, a recipe adapted from a dish).
You say 法律に基づいて判断する (you follow the law), but 法律をもとに判断する would sound as if you were “drawing inspiration” from the law. Conversely, for a novel inspired by memories, をもとに is more natural.
| に基づいて | をもとに | |
|---|---|---|
| relationship to the basis | you conform to it | you draw on it, transform it |
| typical bases | law, rules, data, facts | true story, notes, experience, idea |
| example | 規則に基づいて処理する | 実話をもとに映画を作る |
- 子どものころの思い出をもとに、絵本を書いた。こどものころのおもいでをもとに、えほんをかいた。I wrote a picture book drawing on my childhood memories.
- 契約に基づいて、代金をお支払いいたします。けいやくにもとづいて、だいきんをおしはらいいたします。We will pay the amount in accordance with the contract.
Common mistakes
- Using it for a physical place: “名古屋に基づいて” makes no sense. The basis is always information, a rule or experience.
- Mixing up に基づいて (to conform to) and をもとに (to draw on): a law is followed; a true story is adapted.
- Using を instead of に: you say 法律に基づいて (you rest “on” the law), never “法律を基づいて”.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N2 point is on the Meijō Line (Politics and society) of the Nagoya lines.