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由 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
由
yóu
to follow
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
from
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
it is for...to
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
reason
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
cause
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
because of
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
due to
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
to
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
to leave it (to sb)
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
由
yóu
by (introduces passive verb)
HSK 4, p, 5 strokes, radical 田, rank #573, Medium
yóu(you2)you T2
1to follow
2from
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March 24, 2026
由yóu(you2)
The character 由 (yóu) primarily indicates a sense of following or causation. It can denote the source of an action, often translating to 'from' or 'due to' in various contexts, and is also used to introduce passive constructions. Its usage is common in both formal and informal contexts, especially in expressions of reason or cause.
Strokes5Radical田Frequency#573DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of cause and effect is deeply rooted in philosophical traditions, such as Daoism and Confucianism, where understanding the reasons behind actions is essential for moral and ethical living.
Memory tip
Imagine a person leaving a path (由) behind them, suggesting they are following a route or coming from a particular place. The character is composed of a radical that resembles a path (the bottom part) and a component suggesting a sense of direction or origin.
Meanings of 由
yóu(you2)
1to follow
2from
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 由
由Simplified
5Strokes
田Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#573Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
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AI study notes for 由
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 由 with similar characters like 从 (cóng), which also indicates 'from' but with a slightly different nuance. It's commonly used in formal writing and legal contexts, and learners should note its role in passive sentences, where it introduces the doer of the action.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 由 connects with other words related to causation and direction, such as 从 (cóng) and 使 (shǐ). Focus on its use in complex sentences to express reasons and causes, and practice recognizing it in passive constructions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 由 with 由来 (yóulái), which means 'origin'. For example, saying '这由我做' (This is done by me) should be corrected to '这是我做的' (This was done by me), as 由 does not stand alone in this context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 由
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The character 由 (yóu) primarily indicates a sense of following or causation. It can denote the source of an action, often translating to 'from' or 'due to' in various contexts, and is also used to introduce passive constructions. Its usage is common in both formal and informal contexts, especially in expressions of reason or cause.
When to use 由
Be careful not to confuse 由 with similar characters like 从 (cóng), which also indicates 'from' but with a slightly different nuance. It's commonly used in formal writing and legal contexts, and learners should note its role in passive sentences, where it introduces the doer of the action.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 由 with 由来 (yóulái), which means 'origin'. For example, saying '这由我做' (This is done by me) should be corrected to '这是我做的' (This was done by me), as 由 does not stand alone in this context.
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由
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Grammar patterns of 由
由 functions as a preposition (often called a "coverb" in Chinese). It introduces a phrase that comes BEFORE the main verb (我在家吃饭, 给妈妈打电话), unlike English which puts prepositions after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Discrimination by employers on the grounds of race and nationality was illegal.
10
海沃德艺术展是由艺术家伯纳德·吕蒂组织的。
hǎi wò dé yìshù Zhǎn shì yóu yìshù jiā bà nà dé· lǚ dì zǔzhī de。
The Hayward exhibition has been curated by the artist Bernard Luthi.
11
这条小路是由河流的方向延伸出去的。
Zhè tiáo xiǎo lù shì yóu héliú de fāngxiàng yánshēn chūqù de.
This path extends out following the direction of the river.
12
探险队是由指南针指引的方向前进的。
Tànxiǎn duì shì yóu zhǐnánzhēn zhǐyǐn de fāngxiàng qiánjìn de.
The expedition team advanced by following the direction indicated by the compass.
13
这条小路是由河流的方向延伸出去的。
Zhè tiáo xiǎo lù shì yóu héliú de fāngxiàng yánshēn chūqù de.
This path extends out following the direction of the river.
14
探险队是由指南针指引的方向前进的。
Tànxiǎn duì shì yóu zhǐnánzhēn zhǐyǐn de fāngxiàng qiánjìn de.
The expedition team advanced by following the direction indicated by the compass.
pfrom2
15
这幅画是由他爷爷传下来的。
Zhè fú huà shì yóu tā yéye chuán xiàlái de.
This painting was passed down from his grandfather.
16
这幅画是由他爷爷传下来的。
Zhè fú huà shì yóu tā yéye chuán xiàlái de.
This painting was passed down from his grandfather.
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Cultural Notes for 由
💡Did you know?
'由' is often used in expressions related to authority and causation, such as '由我决定' (decided by me) and '由此可见' (from this, it can be seen), emphasizing the role of the subject in determining outcomes.
Word Family of 由
Compounds39
迪díto advance, to enlighten, to make progress
油yóuoil
画huàto draw
抽chōuto draw out
邮yóupost (office)
宙zhòuuniverse
袖xiùsleeve
届jièto arrive at (place or time)
笛díbamboo flute; whistle
轴zhóuaxle, pivot, shaft; axis
庙miàotemple
鼬yòuweasel, mustela itatis
柚yòugrapefruit, pomelo
铀yóuuranium
釉yòuenamel, glaze
寅yínto respect, to revere; respectfully; 3rd terrestrial branch
胄zhòuhelmet; descendant
妯zhóusister-in law
苖dí
冑zhòuhelmet
岫xiùmountain peak; cave, cavern
峀xiù
廸dí
怞chóu
甹pīngchivalrous knight
畁bì
舳zhúthe stern of a ship
蚰yóumillipede
頔dí
伷zhòu
牰yòu
秞yóu
粙zhòu
紬chóu
軸zhóuaxle, pivot, shaft; axis
鈾yóuuranium
駎zhòu
鮋yóu
鲉yóu
Words containing this character20
由yóufrom
由于yóuyúdue to由於
自由zìyóufreedom
理由lǐyóureason
由此yóucǐhereby
不由bùyóucan't help (doing sth)
不由自主bùyóuzìzhǔcan't help; involuntarily (idiom)
不由得bùyóudecan't help
由衷yóuzhōngheartfelt
由此可见yóucǐkějiànfrom this, it can be seen that...由此可見
缘由yuányóureason緣由
自由自在zìyóuzìzàileisurely
任由rènyóuto allow
自由主义zìyóuzhǔyìliberalism自由主義
经由jīngyóuvia經由
路由器lùyóuqìrouter (computing)
身不由己shēnbùyóujǐnot of one's own volition
自由基zìyóujīfree radical
由来yóuláiorigin由來
听天由命tīngtiānyóumìngto submit to the will of heaven聽天由命
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 由
What does 迪 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 由
由 (yóu) and 从 (cóng) both indicate a starting point or source, but 由 often emphasizes the reason or cause behind an action, while 从 typically denotes a more straightforward physical or temporal origin. For example, 从 can be used for directions, whereas 由 focuses on causation.
You should use 由 when you want to indicate a reason or cause, while 以 (yǐ) is used to express means or methods. For instance, '由此可见' (From this, it can be seen) emphasizes the cause, while '以此为基础' (Based on this) emphasizes the method.
由 (yóu) means 'to follow' or 'from', and it can also imply a reason or cause for something. It is often used in sentences to indicate the source of an action or to express causation.
You can use 由 to indicate the origin of an action, as in '这件事是由我负责的' (This matter is my responsibility). It can also be used to express causation, such as '因为下雨，活动由此取消' (Due to the rain, the event is canceled).
In passive constructions, 由 introduces the agent performing the action, for example, '这本书是我写的' translates to 'This book was written by me'.
Yes, 由 is commonly used in both spoken and written Mandarin, particularly when explaining reasons or origins.
Yes, 由此 (yóu cǐ) means 'from this' or 'therefore', linking the reason more explicitly to a conclusion or result.
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