Chinese word

由

Pronunciation

Pinyinyóu

Meaning

  • prepositionby

Example

这本书是由他写的。zhè běn shū shì yóu tā xiě de

This book was written by him.

Illustration for 由 (by)

More examples

这个项目由我来负责。zhè ge xiàng mù yóu wǒ lái fù zé

This project will be handled by me.

Core concept

A formal marker points to where an action or decision comes from, including its agent, source, basis, or responsible handler.

Common phrases

  • 由...负责yóu fù zé

    be handled by ___

  • 由...决定yóu jué dìng

    be decided by ___

  • 由...组成yóu zǔ chéng

    be made up of ___

Similar words

被bèi: In a passive sentence, marks the person or thing receiving an action.
因为yīn wèi: Points to the reason or cause behind an event.
通过tōng guò: Points to a means or method used to carry out an action.
用yòng: Points to the tool or method used for an action.

Definition in Chinese

用来引出动作的发出者、依据或起点，也可表示把决定或事情交由某人处理，语域偏正式且常见于书面或正式口吻中。yòng lái yǐn chū dòng zuò de fā chū zhě yī jù huò qí diǎn yě kě biǎo shì bǎ jué dìng huò shì qíng jiāo yóu mǒu rén chú lǐ yǔ yù piān zhèng shì qiě cháng jiàn yú shū miàn huò zhèng shì kóu wěn zhōng

Word origin

由 (yóu, "by/from") developed from the idea of a source or point of origin into a preposition marking an action's agent, basis, starting point, or assigned responsibility.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech, a passive marker or a cause phrase is often more natural than this formal marker, while official notices and written explanations retain it.

Other meanings

  • frompreposition
  • leave toverb

Related words

Word lists with this word