Chinese word

由来

Pronunciation

Pinyinyóu lái

Meaning

  • nounorigin

Example

这幅画的由来我们还在调查。zhè fú huà de yóu lái wǒ men hái zài diào chá

We are still looking into the origin of this painting.

Illustration for 由来 (origin)

More examples

人们常常讨论这个习俗的由来。rén men cháng cháng tǎo lùn zhè ge xí sú de yóu lái

People often discuss the origin of this custom.

Core concept

The earlier path that makes a thing understandable in its present form.

Common phrases

  • 节日的由来jié rì de yóu lái

    origin of the festival

  • 名字的由来míng zì de yóu lái

    origin of the name

  • 文化的由来wén huà de yóu lái

    origin of the culture

Similar words

起源qǐ yuán: The earliest point at which a thing or phenomenon first appeared.
来源lái yuán: The place, person, or channel that supplies an object or information.
来历lái lì: The past events and circumstances that explain a person or thing's history.

Definition in Chinese

表示事物的起源、来历或发生的原因，指可以追溯到的来源或背景。biǎo shì shì wù de qǐ yuán lái lì huò fā shēng de yuán yīn zhǐ ké yǐ zhuī sù dào de lái yuán huò bèi jǐng

Word origin

由来 (yóulái, "origin") combines 由 (yóu, "from") + 来 (lái, "come"), linking a present thing to what it came from.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this word often sounds more explanatory than casual, so it suits a careful account better than a quick reply.

Other meanings

  • historynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word