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由来 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
由来yóuláioriginHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #23151, Hard
yóulái(you2lai2)you lai T2
  1. 1origin
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March 24, 2026

由来(由來)yóulái(you2lai2)

由来 (yóulái) refers to the origin or source of something, often used to inquire about the background or history of an idea, object, or phenomenon. It can signify where something comes from or how it has developed over time, often in historical or contextual discussions.

Strokes12Frequency#23151DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, understanding the origin of customs, traditions, or even food is highly valued, reflecting a respect for history and lineage. This word often appears in discussions about folklore or regional specialties.

Memory tip

Think of 由 (yóu) as a pathway leading to 来 (lái), which means to come. Imagine walking along a path to discover where something originated. The visual of a journey leading you to the source helps connect the meaning of 'origin' with the characters.

Meanings of 由来

yóulái(you2lai2)
1origin
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 由来

由来Simplified
由來Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 由来

Quick Contrast

来源 (láiyuán) - use 由来 (yóulái) when focusing on the historical context or development, whereas 来源 (láiyuán) is more neutral and general, referring simply to the source.

Usage Notes

使用 '由来' is typically seen in more formal contexts, such as academic writing or detailed discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with just '来,' which means 'come' but lacks the implication of origin. Be mindful of using it in appropriate contexts.

HSK Study Tips

While '由来' may not appear in basic HSK exams, it connects well with other words that discuss origins, such as '来源' (lái yuán) meaning source. Students at this level should focus on contextual usage and identifying when to discuss origins.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 由来 by treating it like a verb, saying things like '我由来这个故事' instead of correctly stating '这个故事的由来是...'. It's important to remember that it describes the origin, not the action of coming from.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 由来

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Component characters

由yóuto follow
HSK 45 strokes田
View full entry
来láito come
HSK 17 strokes木
View full entry

How to say origin in Chinese

“origin” in Chinese is由来yóulái

由来 (yóulái) refers to the origin or source of something, often used to inquire about the background or history of an idea, object, or phenomenon. It can signify where something comes from or how it has developed over time, often in historical or contextual discussions.

When to use 由来

使用 '由来' is typically seen in more formal contexts, such as academic writing or detailed discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with just '来,' which means 'come' but lacks the implication of origin. Be mindful of using it in appropriate contexts.

由来 or something close to it

来源 (láiyuán) - use 由来 (yóulái) when focusing on the historical context or development, whereas 来源 (láiyuán) is more neutral and general, referring simply to the source.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 由来 by treating it like a verb, saying things like '我由来这个故事' instead of correctly stating '这个故事的由来是...'. It's important to remember that it describes the origin, not the action of coming from.

Write 由来

由
来

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Frequently asked questions about 由来

You can say '这个故事的由来很有趣' (The origin of this story is very interesting).

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