How to Write 据 (jū/jù) — Meaning “according to; based on”

Picture your hand (扌) resting on a house (居) for support. Just as you use a house for shelter, you use evidence or a basis to support your arguments. This image can help you recall that 据 appears in words like 证据 (evidence) and 根据 (according to).

Write the left radical 扌 first as a narrow vertical stroke on the left. The right part 居 has 尸 on top and 古 below; make sure the 尸's horizontal stroke is written in one smooth line and the 古 fits neatly underneath. A common mistake is making the whole character too wide; keep the right side compact.

The key difference is the right side. 据 has 居 (a house with a roof and an ancient part), 拜 has a right side that looks like two hands together (used in worship), and 括 has 舌 (tongue) on the right. Remember: evidence (据) relates to a house, while including (括) relates to a tongue, and worship (拜) involves hands.

据 is used to introduce the source or basis of information, such as 据报道 (according to reports) or 根据 (basis). It is common in news, legal, and academic writing. Culturally, providing evidence (证据) is very important in Chinese formal communication.

Common words containing 据 include: 根据 (gēn jù) — According to; Basis; 证据 (zhèng jù) — Evidence / Proof; 拮据 (jié jū) — short of money; financially tight.