By / on the basis of / by what right (凭)

Structure 凭 + means/evidence/quality + action

凭 (píng) introduces what one RELIES on to do or achieve something: a document, an ability, a merit. 凭这张票可以进去 = "with this ticket you can get in"; 凭他的能力，一定能成功 = "with his ability, he’s bound to succeed". The expression 凭什么 ("by what right?, why should…?") is a very common reproach.

Examples

凭píng这zhè张zhāng票piào可kě以yǐ进jìn去qù。
With this ticket you can get in.
凭píng他tā的de能néng力lì，一yī定dìng能néng成chéng功gōng。
With his ability, he’s bound to succeed.
你nǐ凭píng什shén么me说shuō我wǒ错cuò了le？
What gives you the right to say I’m wrong?

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