The word 根据 is formed through the common Chinese process of compounding, where two independent, meaningful characters are combined to create a new, single concept. The first character, 根 (gēn), originally means "root" or "foundation", a concrete base from which something grows. The second character, 据 (jù), carries the core idea of "to rely on", "to depend on", or "according to". When fused, their meanings merge metaphorically: the solid, foundational quality of a 根 combines with the supportive, reference-oriented action of 据 to form the abstract concept of "basis" or "grounds for", implying a principle or source that provides authoritative support, much like a tree relies on its roots.