Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 2: 21/22

(もと)づいてBased on, In accordance with

Structure

Noun + (もと)づいて
Noun + (もと)づい + Noun

Details

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About にもとづいて

In order to say that one thing is 'based on' another in Japanese, the expression (もと)づいて will be used. This is a combination of the case marking particle に, the う - Verb, (もと)づく 'to originate from', and the conjunction particle て. This expression regularly highlights some kind of judgement/conclusion that the speaker has made, using (A) as their base.

To use (もと)づいて, put the noun (or noun phrase) that you would like to identify as a 'basis' before (もと)づいて, and then express your judgment/conclusion in part (B) of the sentence.

Alternatively, the past form of (もと)づく may be used when connected directly to a second noun. (A) に(もと)づいた (B) directly expresses that (B) is based on (A).

Fun Fact

The kanji (もと) is fairly accurately translated as 'foundation', and is regularly used to highlight things that 'stem' from something. Due to this, (もと)づいて may also be used to identify things that are 'produced from (A)', 'created from (A)', or 'invented based on (A)'.

  • あの(くに)法律(ほうりつ)宗教(しゅうきょう)(もと)づいて(つく)られている
    That country's law is founded on religion.
  • 先月(せんげつ)(もら)った資料(しりょう)(もと)づいてこのレポート()きました。
    I wrote this paper based on the documents you gave me last month.
  • この小説(しょうせつ)歴史(れきし)(てき)実話(じつわ)(もと)づいてかかれている
    This novel is written based on true historical events.

Examples

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    信用(しんよう)(もと)づいて、お(かね)()す。

    I lend money based on trust.

    法律(ほうりつ)(もと)づいて判断(はんだん)させていただきます。

    I will make my judgment based on the law.

    ちゃんと計画(けいかく)(もと)づいて(うご)いてください。

    Please proceed in accordance with the plan.

    あなたの意見(いけん)(もと)づいて変更(へんこう)(くわ)えました。

    I implemented a modification based on your opinion.

    間違(まちが)った前提(ぜんてい)(もと)づいているから、当然(とうぜん)結果(けっか)間違(まちが)っている。

    The results are incorrect because (the experiment) is being based on incorrect assumptions.

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にもとづいて – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (8 in total)

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @pasi !

    This seems like an error on our end, so we have just fixed this! Thank you for letting us know about this!

  • wlan8051

    wlan8051

    間違った前提にもとづいてから、当然結果も間違っている

    returns a “Let’s try a different grammar structure here.” when the answer is に基づいている。

    Is it really a different structure or just the same phrase in progressive form?

  • Isurandil492

    Isurandil492

    法律に基づいて、判断させていただきます。
    I will make my judgment based on the law.

    Initially, I wanted to ask about the grammar behind the させていただきます part. But, now I found the solution: させて頂く | Bunpro. It is a set phrase, not something to be understood from causative te-form of する + いただく, isn’t it?

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