에 의하면

The Korean grammatical construction '에 의하면' (e uihamyeon) is a formal and highly precise way to cite a source of information. In the landscape of the Korean language, where the source of knowledge is often as important as the knowledge itself, this phrase serves as a bridge between a piece of data and its origin. Literally translated, '에' is a location or direction particle, and '의하면' is the conditional form of the verb '의하다' (uihada), which means 'to be based on' or 'to depend on.' Therefore, the phrase essentially means 'if we base it on [the noun].' In practical English terms, it is most closely equivalent to 'according to,' 'based on,' or 'as stated by.' It is a staple of journalistic integrity, academic rigor, and formal reporting. When you use '에 의하면,' you are signaling to your listener that the information you are about to provide is not your own personal opinion or a direct observation, but rather something you have gathered from a specific, often authoritative, source. This distinction is crucial in Korean culture, which values modesty and accuracy. By attributing the information, you avoid taking personal responsibility for potential inaccuracies while simultaneously lending weight to your statement by referencing a reputable entity like the news, a book, or an expert. It is most commonly used with nouns that represent sources of information, such as '뉴스' (news), '신문' (newspaper), '전문가' (expert), '연구' (research), or '소문' (rumor). While it is highly formal, its presence in daily life is pervasive, appearing in every weather forecast, political report, and scientific discussion. Understanding '에 의하면' is not just about learning a grammar point; it is about learning how to navigate the flow of information in Korean society, ensuring that you can both identify where facts come from and present your own findings with the appropriate level of professional distance and clarity.

Etymological Breakdown

The verb '의하다' stems from the Hanja '依' (ui), meaning 'to rely on' or 'to depend.' The suffix '-면' adds the conditional 'if' or 'when.' Together, they create a logical conditional: 'If one relies on...'

One of the most important aspects of using '에 의하면' is its relationship with sentence endings. Because you are reporting information from another source, the sentence almost always ends in an indirect quotation form, such as '-ㄴ다고 하다' (they say that...), '-라고 하다' (it is called...), or '-ㄴ다더라' (I heard that...). Using a direct ending like '-입니다' or '-아요/어요' can sometimes sound jarring or grammatically incomplete because '에 의하면' sets up an expectation for a citation. For example, saying '뉴스에 의하면 비가 와요' (According to the news, it rains) is less natural than '뉴스에 의하면 비가 온다고 해요' (According to the news, they say it will rain). This nuance is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers. Furthermore, while '에 의하면' is synonymous with '에 따르면,' the former is often perceived as slightly more formal or 'written' in style (문어체). It is the language of the '9 o'clock news' and 'university dissertations.' In contrast, '에 따르면' is slightly more versatile and can be heard more frequently in educated spoken contexts. However, both are essential for anyone aiming for B1 level proficiency and above. In social settings, using this phrase can make you sound very intelligent and well-informed, as it shows you are keeping up with external sources and can articulate them correctly. It is also a safe way to discuss sensitive topics or rumors without sounding like the person who started them. By saying '소문에 의하면' (according to rumors), you distance yourself from the gossip while still sharing the information.

Common Source Nouns

뉴스 (News), 통계 (Statistics), 기상청 (Meteorological Agency), 전문가 (Expert), 성경 (Bible), 헌법 (Constitution).

Register Variation

In very casual speech, '에 의하면' is often replaced by '말로는' (by the words of) or simply '-가 그러는데' (X said that...). '에 의하면' remains the gold standard for formal presentations.

Using '에 의하면' correctly requires a two-step grammatical process. First, you must attach it to a noun that acts as the source of information. Second, you must ensure the rest of the sentence reflects that the information is being reported, not directly asserted. The structure is: [Noun] + 에 의하면 + [Sentence Content] + [Indirect Quotation Ending]. Let's break this down further. The noun can be a person (e.g., 의사 선생님 - doctor), a medium (e.g., 잡지 - magazine), or a result (e.g., 통계 - statistics). Because '에 의하면' is formal, the nouns used with it are often formal as well. For example, '내 친구' (my friend) is grammatically possible, but '친구의 말에 의하면' (according to my friend's words) sounds more complete. The most common pitfall for learners is neglecting the indirect quotation ending. In Korean, if you cite a source, you must grammatically acknowledge that you are 'quoting' that source. This is done through endings like '-ㄴ다고/는다고 하다' for statements, '-냐고 하다' for questions, '-자고 하다' for suggestions, and '-라고 하다' for imperatives. Without these, the sentence can sound blunt or like a direct claim of truth, which contradicts the 'according to' preface. For instance, '통계에 의하면 인구가 줄어요' (According to statistics, the population decreases) is understandable but feels slightly 'off.' A native speaker would say '통계에 의하면 인구가 줄어든다고 합니다' (According to statistics, it is said that the population is decreasing). This adds a layer of objective reporting that is essential for the formal register of this phrase.

Structural Formula

[Source Noun] + 에 의하면 + [Content] + -ㄴ/는다고 (하다/전해지다/알려져 있다).

Another nuance to consider is the difference between '에 의하면' and '에 의해서' (e uihaeseo). While they look similar, they have very different functions. '에 의해서' means 'by' or 'due to' and is used to indicate the agent of a passive action or a cause. For example, '태풍에 의해서 집이 무너졌다' (The house collapsed due to the typhoon). In contrast, '에 의하면' is strictly for information sourcing. Mixing them up is a common error. Furthermore, when using '에 의하면' with people, it is more natural to add '말' (words) or '생각' (thought) if the person is an individual rather than an institution. For example, '공자님 말씀에 의하면' (According to Confucius's words) sounds much more natural than '공자님에 의하면.' This is because you are citing their specific verbal or written output. When citing documents or media, this is not necessary: '기사에 의하면' (According to the article). Additionally, you can use '에 의하면' to introduce a hypothetical or logical deduction based on a premise. For example, '이 이론에 의하면...' (According to this theory...). This is very common in academic writing where a researcher wants to show the implications of a specific framework. Finally, remember that '에 의하면' is almost never used in the first person. You cannot use it to describe your own direct perceptions (e.g., '내 눈에 의하면' for 'According to my eyes'). In such cases, Korean uses more direct expressions like '-아/어 보니까' (since I looked) or '-는 것 같다' (it seems like).

Tense Consistency

The tense of the reported information (past, present, or future) is reflected in the indirect quotation part, not in '에 의하면' itself. For example: '...했다고 합니다' (past), '...한다고 합니다' (present), '...할 것이라고 합니다' (future).

Negative Forms

To say 'According to [Source], it is NOT X,' use the negative indirect quotation: '...지 않다고 합니다' or '...이/가 아니라고 합니다.'

If you turn on a Korean news broadcast like KBS, MBC, or SBS, you will hear '에 의하면' within the first five minutes. It is the lifeblood of journalism. Reporters use it to attribute quotes to police officials, government spokespeople, or eyewitnesses. For example, '경찰 조사에 의하면...' (According to the police investigation...). This usage creates an air of objectivity and professionalism. In this context, it is often paired with the formal '-ㅂ니다' or '-습니다' endings. Beyond the news, '에 의하면' is a standard feature of academic life. If you are a student at a Korean university, your professors will use it constantly when discussing theories, citing researchers, or presenting data from textbooks. '이 교재에 의하면' (According to this textbook) is a phrase you might hear during a lecture. It is also the preferred way to cite sources in written essays and research papers. In fact, writing a formal paper in Korean without using '에 의하면' or its sibling '에 따르면' would be nearly impossible, as academic integrity requires clear citation. You will also encounter this phrase in corporate settings. During business meetings or presentations, employees use it to back up their proposals with market research or sales data. '시장 분석 보고서에 의하면' (According to the market analysis report) adds instant credibility to a business strategy. It shows that the speaker has done their homework and is not just speaking off the cuff.

Media Usage

News anchors use it to introduce segments: '오늘 발표된 정부 통계에 의하면...' (According to government statistics released today...).

In more informal but still 'public' spaces like talk shows or podcasts, you might hear a slightly softer version, but '에 의하면' is still used when the speaker wants to sound authoritative about a fact they read online or in a book. For example, a host might say, '어떤 기사에 의하면 커피를 마시는 것이 건강에 좋대요' (According to some article, I heard that drinking coffee is good for health). Here, the '-대요' ending (a contraction of '-다고 해요') makes it sound more conversational while the '에 의하면' maintains the reference. You will also find this phrase in legal documents, contracts, and official notices. '제1조에 의하면' (According to Article 1) is how legal professionals reference specific clauses. It provides a logical foundation for legal arguments. Even in religious contexts, when citing scriptures like the Bible or the Sutras, '성경 에 의하면' (According to the Bible) is the standard way to introduce a verse or a teaching. This wide range of usage—from the highest courts to the evening news—demonstrates that '에 의하면' is the essential tool for referencing authority in Korean. For a learner, hearing this phrase is a 'cue' that important, factual information is about to follow. It helps you focus your listening on the 'what' and 'where' of the information flow.

Academic Context

Used to cite authors: '김 교수의 논문에 의하면' (According to Professor Kim's thesis).

Legal/Official Context

Used in contracts: '계약서 제5조에 의하면...' (According to Article 5 of the contract...).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using '에 의하면' is failing to use the indirect quotation ending. Because 'according to' in English doesn't require a specific verb change at the end of the sentence (e.g., 'According to the news, it's raining'), English speakers often forget that Korean requires the sentence to grammatically acknowledge the quote. Saying '뉴스에 의하면 비가 와요' is grammatically 'naked' in Korean. It sounds like you're starting a formal citation but ending it with a casual, direct observation. To fix this, always append '-ㄴ다고 하다' or a similar ending. Another major mistake is using '에 의하면' with your own thoughts or opinions. You cannot say '제 생각에 의하면' to mean 'In my opinion.' This is because '의하다' implies relying on an external basis or source. Since your own thoughts are internal and subjective, citing them as an external 'source' sounds illogical or overly self-important, as if you are treating your own brain as a third-party news outlet. Instead, use '제 생각에는' or '제 의견으로는.' Similarly, learners often confuse '에 의하면' with '에 의해서.' While both involve the verb '의하다,' '에 의해서' is used for causality or agency in passive sentences (e.g., 'The window was broken BY the wind'). If you say '뉴스에 의해서 알았어요,' you are saying 'I found out BECAUSE OF the news,' which is different from 'ACCORDING TO the news.'

Mistake 1: Missing Indirect Quotation

Incorrect: 뉴스에 의하면 내일 추워요. (Wrong ending) Correct: 뉴스에 의하면 내일 춥다고 합니다. (Correct indirect quotation)

A third mistake is using '에 의하면' with nouns that aren't actually sources of information. For example, you wouldn't say '사과에 의하면' (According to the apple). The noun must be something that can provide data, words, or evidence. If you want to say 'Based on the quality of the apple,' you should use '사과의 품질에 기초하여' or '사과의 상태를 보니.' Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the level of formality. '에 의하면' is quite formal. Using it in a very casual conversation with close friends might make you sound like a news reporter or a textbook. In casual settings, it's better to use '-가/이 그러는데' (X said that...) or '-에서 봤는데' (I saw it on/at...). For example, '친구가 그러는데' (My friend said...) is much more natural than '친구에 의하면' when talking to a peer. Finally, be careful with the particle '에.' Some learners accidentally omit it or replace it with '를' or '가.' It must be '에 의하면' as it is a fixed expression. Even though '의하다' is a verb, '에 의하면' functions as a complex particle in this context. Mastering these distinctions will help you avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Korean grammar where your sentences are technically correct but feel unnatural to a native ear.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '에 의해서'

'에 의해서' (By/Due to) indicates cause: '비에 의해서 길이 막혔다.' '에 의하면' (According to) indicates source: '뉴스에 의하면 길이 막힌다.'

Mistake 3: Overuse in Casual Speech

Avoid: (To a friend) 기상청에 의하면 비가 온대요. Natural: 뉴스에서 봤는데 비 온대.

The most direct synonym for '에 의하면' is '에 따르면' (e ttareumyeon). Both translate to 'according to' and are used in very similar contexts. However, there is a subtle difference in nuance and frequency. '에 따르면' comes from the verb '따르다' (to follow). It is arguably the most common way to cite a source in modern Korean, appearing frequently in both newspapers and formal speech. While '에 의하면' feels slightly more rigid or 'academic,' '에 따르면' feels a bit more fluid. In many cases, they are completely interchangeable. For example, '뉴스에 의하면' and '뉴스에 따르면' are both perfectly natural. Another alternative is '의 말에 따르면' (according to the words of), which is specifically used when citing a person. If you want to emphasize that the information is a rumor, you can use '소문에 의하면' or '전해지는 바에 의하면' (according to what is being passed down). If the source is a written document, '기록에 의하면' (according to the records) is a strong choice. For scientific or logical contexts, '-를/을 바탕으로' (based on) can be used, although it functions slightly differently by focusing on the 'foundation' rather than the 'citation.'

에 의하면 vs. 에 따르면

'에 의하면' (Based on/According to) - Slightly more formal/written. '에 따르면' (Following/According to) - More common in general formal contexts.

In less formal situations, you can use the structure '[Noun] + 말로는' (by [Noun]'s words). For example, '엄마 말로는' (According to Mom). This is much more common in daily life than '어머니에 의하면.' Another common spoken alternative is '-가/이 그러는데' (X says that...). This is the standard way to report what someone told you in a casual setting. For example, '지수가 그러는데 내일 시험이 없대' (Jisoo says there's no exam tomorrow). If you are citing something you saw or read, you can use '-에서 봤는데/읽었는데.' For example, '인터넷에서 봤는데...' (I saw it on the internet...). These alternatives lack the formal 'citation' feel of '에 의하면' but are essential for natural-sounding conversation. For academic writing, you might also see '-에 근거하여' (based on evidence of) or '-에 기초하여' (based on the foundation of). these are even more formal than '에 의하면' and are strictly reserved for research and legal analysis. Understanding this spectrum—from the casual '-가 그러는데' to the academic '-에 근거하여'—allows you to choose the right level of formality for any situation. As a B1 learner, mastering '에 의하면' and '에 따르면' is your priority, as they provide the necessary bridge between basic speech and more professional communication.

Comparison Table

Formal: 에 의하면 / 에 따르면 Semi-Formal: -의 말에 의하면 Informal: -말로는 / -가 그러는데

Academic Alternative

-에 근거하여 (Based on the evidence of): '증거에 근거하여 결론을 내렸다' (Concluded based on evidence).