Meaning and Usage
The verb 基づく (もとづく) means "to be based on" or "to be grounded on." It is often used in formal or written contexts to indicate that something is founded on a certain principle, fact, law, or data.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 基づく in legal, academic, and business settings where decisions, reports, or opinions are justified by evidence or rules.
Collocations and Patterns
- 基づいて (にもとづいて): a common grammatical form meaning "based on" used to connect the basis to the action.
- 法律に基づく (ほうりつにもとづく): "based on the law," often used in legal contexts.
- データに基づく (データにもとづく): "based on data," common in reports and research.
Nuances and Tips
Using 基づく implies a strong foundation or justification for the statement or action. It is more formal than simply saying "based on" in casual conversation. Avoid confusing it with 基づける (to base something on), which is the causative form.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 基づく with 基づける. Remember, 基づく is intransitive (something is based on), while 基づける is transitive (to base something on).