凭 (on the basis of)

• Pinyin: píng
• Formation: 凭 + Noun / Noun Phrase，Subject + Verb Phrase
• Hanzi breakdown: 凭 = simplified from 憑; 馮 (lean on) + 心 (heart)

Meaning

The preposition 凭 (píng) means 'on the basis of' or 'by virtue of' and is used to introduce the grounds, credentials, or evidence that support an action, judgment, or claim. It emphasises that the outcome relies on a specific foundation.

Unlike 靠 which stresses dependence or reliance on something for support, 凭 highlights the legitimacy or authority behind an action — it answers the question 'on what basis?' 凭 frequently appears with abstract nouns like 经验 (experience), 能力 (ability), 证据 (evidence), and 感觉 (intuition). It can also be used rhetorically to challenge someone's authority: 你凭什么这么说？(On what basis do you say that?). In formal contexts, 凭借 is a more literary synonym. The pattern is common in both spoken and written Chinese, though 靠 is often preferred in casual speech when expressing general reliance rather than specific justification.

Examples

1. 凭他的经验和能力，这个项目交给他没问题。 Based on his experience and ability, there's no problem entrusting this project to him.
2. 你不能凭个人喜好来决定公司的发展方向。 You can't decide the company's development direction based on personal preferences.
3. 她凭着一股不服输的劲头，最终赢得了比赛。 With her never-give-up spirit, she ultimately won the competition.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, formal, everyday

Tone: assertive

Do Say

• 凭我对他的了解，他不会做出这种事。
• 她凭自己的努力考上了理想的大学。
• 光凭一张照片，警方很难确认嫌疑人的身份。
• 他凭多年的行业经验获得了这次晋升机会。

Don't Say

• 他凭了努力成功了。(凭 is a preposition, not a verb — it cannot take the aspect marker 了) → 他凭努力获得了成功。
• 我凭跑步锻炼身体。(凭 introduces a basis for judgment or action, not a method — use 通过 or 靠 for 'by means of') → 我靠跑步锻炼身体。
• 凭你走路去学校吗？(凭 introduces the basis for a judgment, not the means of an action — restructure the sentence) → 你是走路去学校的吗？

Origin & History

The character 凭 is a simplification of traditional 憑, which combines 馮 (lean on) with 心 (heart). The original meaning was to lean on something for support, which evolved into the abstract sense of relying on evidence, credentials, or basis for action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal