按说

• Pinyin: àn shuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 按 = according to; 说 = speak

Meaning

By rights; normally; theoretically.

Similar to 按理说 but slightly more colloquial. Introduces what should be the case based on norms or expectations, often implying the actual situation differs.

Examples

1. 按说这个时候商店应该开门了，怎么还关着？ By rights, the store should be open by now. Why is it still closed?
2. 按说你是老员工了，这些流程应该很熟悉。 As a senior employee, you should be familiar with these procedures.
3. 按说下雨天人应该少，结果街上还是很多人。 Normally there should be fewer people on rainy days, but the streets were still crowded.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 按说这事儿不难办。(By rights, this shouldn't be hard to handle.)
• 按说他不会迟到的。(Normally he wouldn't be late.)

Don't Say

• 在正式报告中用'按说' (Don't use 按说 in formal reports — use 按理说 or 理论上)

Origin & History

按 (according to) + 说 (speaking). A shortened form of 按道理说.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal