Composed of: 由……组成
由……组成
Describe what something is made up of or composed of using the 由…组成 pattern
Place 由 before the components and 组成 after them. The subject is the whole entity and the part after 由 lists its constituent elements. The optional 是…的 frame adds emphasis.
由 here functions as a preposition meaning "by / from." This pattern is commonly used in formal and academic contexts to describe composition — teams, articles, organizations, and even chemical compounds.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Composed of: 由……组成 (由……组成)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 由……组成 pattern
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Understanding 由……组成
The 由…组成 pattern is how Chinese describes composition — what parts make up a whole. Think of it like the English phrase "is composed of" or "consists of." The word 由 introduces the components and 组成 means "to form / to make up." You will encounter this pattern frequently in reading passages about organizations, teams, exams, and written works. It is more formal than simply listing things, and it signals a clear structural relationship. You can optionally wrap the whole thing in the 是…的 construction for emphasis: 这个团队是由五个人组成的. In everyday conversation, you might also hear the simpler 有…组成, but 由…组成 is the standard and more precise form.
Key Points
- 由 (yóu) acts as a preposition meaning "by / from" in this pattern.
- 组成 (zǔchéng) means "to compose / to form / to make up."
- The subject is the whole; the part after 由 lists the components.
- Adding 是…的 creates emphasis: 是由…组成的.
- Commonly used in formal descriptions of teams, articles, exams, and organizations.
- The components after 由 can be listed with 和 (and) for two items, or commas for multiple items.
This pattern appears frequently in Chinese textbook passages and official descriptions. Understanding it is essential for reading comprehension at HSK 4 and above, especially in passages about Chinese history, government structure, and academic topics.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我们班由两位老师和二十位学生组成。
Our class is composed of two teachers and twenty students.
这篇文章由三个部分组成。
This article is made up of three parts.
这张试卷是由十道选择题和一道写作题组成的。
This exam paper is composed of ten multiple-choice questions and one writing question.
是…的 adds emphasis
这个委员会由十五名成员组成。
This committee is made up of fifteen members.
汉字是由不同的笔画组成的。
Chinese characters are composed of different strokes.
我们的足球队由十一名球员组成。
Our football team is made up of eleven players.
这本书由十二章组成。
This book is composed of twelve chapters.
Common Mistakes
The word order must be 由 + components + 组成. Do not reverse 由 and 组成.
组成 must come after the listed components, not before them. The components are sandwiched between 由 and 组成.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 由…组成 as a sandwich: 由 is the top bread, the components are the filling, and 组成 is the bottom bread.
When you want to emphasize the composition, wrap it in 是…的: 是由…组成的.
This pattern is very common in HSK reading passages — look for it when describing organizations, exams, and written works.
Practice by describing things around you: your family, your class, your favorite book — what are they composed of?
Homework
Write five sentences using 由…组成 to describe the composition of: your family, your class, your favorite book, a sports team, and a meal you recently had.