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B2 preposition #2,000 most common 5 min read

凭借

píngjiè Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 凭借 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 凭借 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '凭借' (píngjiè) might be too advanced for daily conversation, but you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'use' (用 - yòng). Imagine you have a key to open a door. In simple Chinese, you say 'I use a key'. In '凭借' logic, you are saying 'By virtue of having this key, I can enter'. It's about having something that lets you do something else. Even at this early stage, try to recognize it in signs, like '凭借票' (With a ticket). It shows you that one thing (the ticket) allows the next thing (entering). Focus on the idea of 'having something that helps'.

For A2 learners, '凭借' starts to appear in reading materials about famous people. You might read that a scientist succeeded '凭借努力' (by relying on hard work). At this level, you should distinguish it from '靠' (kào), which you use for leaning on things or people. '凭借' is more for abstract things like 'effort' or 'talent'. Think of it as a bridge: [Your Resource] + 凭借 + [Your Goal]. If you have 'bravery' (勇气), you can '凭借勇气' go to a new country. It's a step up from '用' because it sounds more like a story or a report.

At the B1 level, you should start using '凭借' in your writing to improve your 'register' (the level of formality). Instead of saying '因为他很聪明，所以他解决了问题' (Because he is smart, he solved the problem), you can say '他凭借智慧解决了问题' (He solved the problem by virtue of his wisdom). This makes your Chinese sound more cohesive and mature. You will also see it in news headlines about sports or business. It often introduces the 'secret to success'. Pay attention to how it is followed by a noun, not a verb. You don't '凭借 work hard', you '凭借 hard work'.

At the B2 level, '凭借' is a key vocabulary item for expressing complex relationships between means and ends. You should be able to use it with abstract nouns and multi-word phrases, such as '凭借敏锐的市场洞察力' (relying on keen market insight). At this level, you must understand its nuance compared to '根据' (according to) and '依靠' (depend on). '凭借' implies that the resource used is an asset or a strength. It is frequently used in formal speeches, essays, and professional documents. You should also be comfortable with its placement at the beginning of sentences to provide context.

For C1 learners, '凭借' becomes a tool for stylistic precision. You will encounter it in literary works and academic papers where it might be used to describe historical shifts or philosophical arguments. For example, '凭借这种文化认同感，民族得以团结' (By virtue of this sense of cultural identity, the nation was able to unite). At this stage, you should explore its use in set phrases and idioms, and understand how it can be used to subtly imply legitimacy or merit. You should also be able to recognize when it is used ironically or to describe someone relying on unfair advantages (like '凭借关系').

At the C2 level, your mastery of '凭借' should involve a deep understanding of its etymological roots and its role in classical-style modern prose. You should be able to appreciate the rhythmic balance it brings to a sentence. In high-level political or philosophical discourse, '凭借' is used to define the foundational principles of an argument. You should also be able to distinguish it from even more obscure synonyms in classical Chinese (like '托' or '因'). Mastery at this level means using '凭借' not just correctly, but elegantly, ensuring it fits the sophisticated prosody of your formal speech or writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

凭借 in 30 Seconds

凭借 (píngjiè) is a formal preposition meaning 'by means of' or 'relying on' a specific resource or quality.
It is commonly used in professional, academic, and literary contexts to describe the basis of an achievement.
The typical structure is '凭借 + Noun + Verb', focusing on internal traits like wisdom or external tools like tickets.
It differs from '依靠' by emphasizing the resource as a tool for success rather than pure dependency.

The Chinese word 凭借 (píngjiè) is a versatile preposition that functions as a bridge between a resource and an achievement. At its core, it signifies the act of relying on, leaning upon, or utilizing a specific quality, tool, or condition to bring about a result. Linguistically, it is composed of two characters: 凭 (píng), which historically referred to leaning on a table or providing evidence, and 借 (jiè), meaning to borrow or use. Together, they create a formal sense of 'by virtue of' or 'by means of'.

Core Concept: To use an internal strength (like talent) or an external resource (like a ticket) as the necessary foundation for an action.
Grammatical Role: Preposition (介词) used to introduce the instrument or basis of an action.

他凭借过人的毅力完成了马拉松。(He completed the marathon by virtue of his extraordinary perseverance.)

In modern Mandarin, this word is frequently used in formal writing, news reporting, and professional evaluations. It carries a more sophisticated tone than the simple '用' (yòng) or '靠' (kào). When you use 凭借, you are often highlighting the merit or the specific mechanism that allowed success to occur. It is the 'how' behind the 'what'.

公司凭借这项新技术占领了市场。(The company occupied the market by relying on this new technology.)

Abstract Usage: Often paired with nouns like 努力 (effort), 智慧 (wisdom), or 经验 (experience).

Furthermore, 凭借 implies a certain level of legitimacy. If someone succeeds 凭借 their own talent, it is viewed as a rightful achievement. It can also be used in legal or procedural contexts, such as '凭借有效证件' (relying on valid identification), where it denotes the prerequisite for entry or action.

运动员凭借出色的表现赢得了金牌。(The athlete won the gold medal by virtue of an outstanding performance.)

The grammatical structure of 凭借 is relatively fixed but requires attention to the noun that follows it. The standard formula is: 凭借 + [Noun/Noun Phrase] + [Verb/Result Phrase]. This structure places the 'means' before the 'action'.

Structure 1: Abstract Qualities: 凭借 + 勇气/智慧/毅力 + 克服困难 (Relying on courage/wisdom/willpower to overcome difficulties).

他凭借敏锐的直觉发现了商机。(He discovered the business opportunity by relying on his sharp intuition.)

When using 凭借, the noun phrase that follows is often modified by an adjective to add descriptive weight. For example, instead of just saying '凭借努力', one might say '凭借不懈的努力' (relying on unremitting effort). This adds the 'B2 level' sophistication expected in professional Chinese.

Structure 2: External Resources: 凭借 + 关系/背景/财力 + 达到目的 (Relying on connections/background/financial power to reach a goal).

It is also important to note that 凭借 can sometimes start a sentence to set the stage for the subject's action. For instance: '凭借多年的教学经验，王老师很快解决了这个问题。' (Relying on years of teaching experience, Teacher Wang quickly solved this problem.) In this case, the phrase acts as an introductory adverbial clause.

凭借优越的地理位置，这个港口成为了贸易中心。(Relying on its superior geographical location, this port became a trade center.)

You will encounter 凭借 in several distinct environments, primarily those involving achievement, formal procedures, or literary descriptions. It is a staple of 'Success Stories' (成功学) and corporate biographies.

1. News and Media: Journalists use it to explain how a person or entity achieved a milestone. '凭借这一进球，球队晋级了决赛。' (With this goal, the team advanced to the finals.)

该片凭借深刻的主题获得了影评人的青睐。(The film won the favor of critics by virtue of its profound theme.)

In the workplace, it appears in performance reviews and project summaries. A manager might say a team succeeded '凭借紧密的团队协作' (relying on close team collaboration). It elevates the tone from simple description to professional analysis.

2. Legal and Official Documents: In instructions or regulations: '凭借此证件可免费入场。' (Entry is free upon presentation of this ID.) Here, it means 'on the basis of'.

乘客需凭借车票进站。(Passengers need to enter the station by virtue of their tickets.)

While 凭借 is powerful, learners often misapply it in contexts where simpler or more specific words are required. The most common error is using it for physical support or mundane tools.

Mistake 1: Physical Support: Incorrect: 他凭借墙站着。(He stands relying on the wall.) Correct: 他靠着墙站着。(He is leaning against the wall.)

Don't say: 凭借筷子吃饭。 Say: 用筷子吃饭。

Another mistake is confusing it with 根据 (gēnjù). While both mean 'based on', 根据 is used for evidence or rules that lead to a conclusion, whereas 凭借 is used for resources that lead to an achievement.

Mistake 2: Over-formality: Using 凭借 in very casual daily conversation can sound stiff. For example, '凭借我的手机，我找到了路' is grammatically correct but sounds like a textbook. '用手机' is more natural.

To master 凭借, one must distinguish it from its close relatives in the Chinese lexicon. Each has a specific nuance regarding the nature of the 'reliance'.

凭借 vs. 依靠 (yīkào): 依靠 implies a sense of dependency or leaning. You '依靠' your parents for money. '凭借' implies using a resource as a tool for success. You '凭借' your talent to get a job.
凭借 vs. 通过 (tōngguò): 通过 means 'through' or 'by way of' a process. '通过努力' and '凭借努力' are often interchangeable, but '通过' emphasizes the process, while '凭借' emphasizes the effort as a resource.

Comparison:
1. 凭借实力 (By virtue of strength)
2. 依靠政府 (Relying on the government)
3. 根据法律 (According to the law)

In literary contexts, you might see 仗恃 (zhàngshì), which often has a negative connotation of 'relying on power to bully others'. 凭借 is generally neutral or positive.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Writing 3/5

Speaking 3/5

Grammar to Know

Prepositional phrases as adverbials

Noun phrase modification with '的'

Resultative complements

Formal vs. Informal register shifts

Sentence-initial adverbial clauses

Examples by Level

凭借这张票，你可以进去。

With this ticket, you can go in.

凭借 + Noun (ticket) + Action (go in).

他凭借努力学习。

He studies by relying on effort.

Simple abstract noun usage.

凭借好天气，我们去公园。

With the good weather, we go to the park.

Using a condition as a basis.

我凭借这把钥匙开门。

I open the door by means of this key.

Physical tool (slightly formal).

凭借你的帮助，我很快完成了。

With your help, I finished quickly.

Relying on someone's assistance.

凭借这支笔，他写字。

With this pen, he writes.

Basic instrument usage.

凭借地图，我找到了路。

With the map, I found the way.

Using a resource.

凭借老师的话，我明白了。

By virtue of the teacher's words, I understood.

Relying on information.

他凭借勇气救了那只猫。

He saved the cat by virtue of his courage.

Abstract quality 'courage'.

凭借他的才华，他画得很好。

With his talent, he paints very well.

Relying on innate ability.

我们凭借合作完成了任务。

We completed the task through cooperation.

Method of action.

凭借他的经验，他知道怎么做。

With his experience, he knows what to do.

Experience as a resource.

他凭借这个机会去了北京。

He went to Beijing by taking this opportunity.

Using an opportunity.

凭借他的名声，很多人认识他。

By virtue of his fame, many people know him.

Status as a basis.

凭借这种药，他的病好了。

With this medicine, his illness got better.

Instrumental cause.

凭借大家的努力，比赛赢了。

With everyone's effort, the game was won.

Collective effort.

她凭借顽强的意志登上了山顶。

She reached the summit by virtue of her stubborn will.

Modified abstract noun.

凭借先进的技术，这个工厂效率很高。

Relying on advanced technology, this factory is very efficient.

Technological basis.

他凭借出色的口才说服了老板。

He persuaded the boss with his excellent eloquence.

Skill-based reliance.

凭借多年积累的知识，他解决了难题。

Relying on knowledge accumulated over years, he solved the problem.

Complex noun phrase.

公司凭借优质的服务赢得了客户。

The company won customers by virtue of high-quality service.

Business context.

凭借这笔贷款，他开了一家店。

With this loan, he opened a shop.

Financial resource.

他凭借对艺术的热爱坚持创作。

He persisted in creating by virtue of his love for art.

Emotional motivation.

凭借这种特殊的材料，衣服很轻。

By virtue of this special material, the clothes are light.

Material properties.

他凭借敏锐的商业嗅觉捕捉到了机会。

He caught the opportunity by relying on his keen business sense.

Metaphorical noun phrase.

凭借不懈的奋斗，他从一名工人变成了经理。

Through unremitting struggle, he went from a worker to a manager.

Describing a career path.

该项目凭借创新的设计获得了大奖。

The project won a major award by virtue of its innovative design.

Formal achievement.

凭借对细节的关注，她避免了重大错误。

By relying on her attention to detail, she avoided major mistakes.

Professional trait.

凭借优越的地理位置，该城市发展迅速。

Relying on its superior geographical location, the city developed rapidly.

Geopolitical context.

他凭借法律手段维护了自己的权益。

He protected his rights by relying on legal means.

Formal methodology.

凭借深厚的文化底蕴，这篇文章很感人。

By virtue of its deep cultural heritage, this article is very moving.

Literary analysis.

凭借这一优势，他们在竞争中脱颖而出。

With this advantage, they stood out in the competition.

Competitive context.

他凭借其深邃的思想影响了一代人。

He influenced a generation by virtue of his profound thoughts.

Intellectual influence.

凭借对人性的深刻洞察，他写出了这部名著。

Relying on deep insight into human nature, he wrote this masterpiece.

Creative process.

凭借其独特的政治手腕，他平息了这场纷争。

By virtue of his unique political maneuvers, he settled the dispute.

Political context.

凭借着一种近乎偏执的坚持，他终于成功了。

Relying on an almost paranoid persistence, he finally succeeded.

Nuanced psychological description.

该学说凭借其严密的逻辑赢得了学术界的认可。

The theory won academic recognition by virtue of its rigorous logic.

Academic context.

凭借历史的偶然，这个小镇成为了首都。

By a historical fluke, this small town became the capital.

Historical analysis.

凭借其雄厚的财力，该集团发起了恶意收购。

Relying on its massive financial power, the group launched a hostile takeover.

Financial terminology.

凭借对传统工艺的坚守，他成为了非遗传承人。

By sticking to traditional crafts, he became an intangible heritage successor.

Cultural preservation.

凭借这一纸空文，他竟想以此要挟众人。

With nothing but this worthless piece of paper, he actually thought he could blackmail everyone.

Ironical/Rhetorical usage.

凭借对宇宙奥秘的终极关怀，科学家们不断探索。

Driven by an ultimate concern for the mysteries of the universe, scientists explore continuously.

Philosophical register.

凭借其错综复杂的人际网络，他在幕后操纵全局。

Relying on his intricate interpersonal network, he manipulated the whole situation from behind the scenes.

Sophisticated social description.

凭借着某种不可言说的直觉，他避开了灾难。

Relying on some unspeakable intuition, he avoided the disaster.

Abstract/Mystical nuance.

凭借这一逻辑起点，作者构建了宏大的叙事框架。

Relying on this logical starting point, the author constructed a grand narrative framework.

Literary criticism.

凭借对权力的极度渴望，他最终走向了毁灭。

Driven by an extreme thirst for power, he eventually moved toward destruction.

Tragic narrative tone.

凭借这一微弱的线索，警方竟然破获了积案。

Relying on this faint clue, the police actually solved a cold case.

Dramatic emphasis.

凭借其深不可测的城府，他在政坛屹立不倒。

By virtue of his unfathomable shrewdness, he remained standing in the political arena.

Advanced character description.

Synonyms

依靠依托借助依据通过

Antonyms

独立脱离

Common Collocations

凭借优势

凭借关系

凭借毅力

凭借才华

凭借经验

凭借智慧

凭借实力

凭借直觉

凭借证据

凭借手段

Common Phrases

凭借一己之力

凭借有效证件

凭借多年经验

凭借不懈努力

凭借优越条件

凭借某种借口

凭借先进设备

凭借深厚功底

凭借敏锐观察

凭借良好口碑

Often Confused With

凭借 vs 根据

Based on evidence/rules vs. Relying on resources/traits.

凭借 vs 依靠

Dependency/leaning vs. Using as a tool for achievement.

凭借 vs 通过

Focus on the process vs. Focus on the resource.

Idioms & Expressions

"凭空捏造"

"凭票入场"

"不足为凭"

"空口无凭"

"凭栏远眺"

"凭心而论"

"任人唯凭"

"凭险据守"

"凭高望远"

"凭虚御风"

Easily Confused

凭借 vs

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

凭据 (píngjù) - evidence

文凭 (wénpíng) - diploma

凭证 (píngzhèng) - voucher

任凭 (rènpíng) - at will

How to Use It

placement

Can be at the start of a sentence or before the main verb.

abstract vs concrete

Preferred for abstract qualities over concrete tools.

positive connotation

Usually implies a commendable resource or merit.

Common Mistakes

Using it with physical objects like '凭借桌子'.
Following it directly with a verb like '凭借努力工作'.
Confusing it with '根据' when providing evidence for an opinion.
Using it for emotional dependency (use '依靠' instead).
Mispronouncing 'jiè' as 'jié'.

Tips

Noun Requirement

Ensure a noun follows 凭借. If you have a verb, turn it into a noun phrase using '的'.

Formalize Your Speech

Replace '靠' with '凭借' in your next presentation to sound more authoritative.

Business Usage

Use it to describe competitive advantages: '凭借价格优势' (relying on price advantage).

Spotting Success

When you see 凭借 in a biography, the words following it are the person's 'secret sauce'.

Sentence Variety

Start a sentence with '凭借...' to vary your sentence structures.

Pairing

Memorize collocations like '凭借毅力' as a single unit.

News Keywords

It's a high-frequency word in CCTV news reports about national achievements.

Merit over Luck

Using 凭借 often implies that the result was earned, not just lucky.

HSK 5/6

This is a common word in HSK 5 and 6 reading comprehension. Know its synonyms.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it for every 'with'. Reserve it for significant means.

Memorize It

Word Origin

The character 凭 (píng) depicts a person leaning on a table (几), suggesting support. 借 (jiè) means to borrow or utilize. Together, they imply using something as a support or instrument.

Cultural Context

Using '凭借' instead of '靠' signals that the speaker is educated and the topic is serious.

The word is central to discussions about social mobility and individual achievement.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你觉得一个人成功主要凭借什么？"

"凭借你现在的经验，你最想做什么工作？"

"你曾经凭借运气赢得过什么吗？"

"凭借你的观察，这里的市场怎么样？"

"我们能凭借这个计划说服老板吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你凭借自己的努力克服的一个困难。

你认为在现代社会，凭借‘关系’重要还是凭借‘实力’重要？

描述一个凭借才华出名的人。

如果你可以凭借一种超能力改变世界，你会选什么？

凭借你对未来的想象，写一段话。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. You don't '凭借' a person; you '依靠' (rely on) or '通过' (through) them. You '凭借' their help or their influence.

Not necessarily. You can '凭借关系' (rely on connections), which can be seen as negative or unfair in certain contexts.

凭 is more versatile and can be used in idioms or as a verb. 凭借 is specifically a preposition for 'by means of'.

No. 凭借 must be followed by a noun. Say '凭借看书积累的知识' (relying on knowledge gained from reading).

Yes, but mostly in formal or professional situations. In casual talk, people prefer '靠'.

It's similar, but '凭借' focuses on the *means* used, while '因为' focuses on the *reason*.

Yes, it is highly recommended for describing how your skills lead to results.

In modern Chinese, it functions almost exclusively as a preposition.

Effort, wisdom, talent, experience, technology, and legal documents.

It is the fourth tone (jiè), like the word for 'to borrow'.