Definitions
(particle)
by means of; to use; according to
(particle)
in order to; because of
(particle)
at; from (time or place)
Etymology
Depicts a person (人) carrying something.
About
Originally depicting a person using an object, 以 functions as a versatile grammatical tool conveying "by means of", "according to", or "in order to". As a preposition, it introduces the tools, methods, or materials used to accomplish a task, linking an action to its instrumental cause. In fixed phrases, it often establishes boundaries in time or space, such as indicating a location to the east or a time before a certain event. Its structural form is abstract, serving syntactical rather than visual descriptive purposes in modern sentences.
Example Sentences Hide
他以跑步健身。
她以中文写信。
我们以唱歌为乐。
请以认真态度学习。
他们以和平方式解决冲突。
公司以客户为中心。
我们必须以法律为准绳。
他以毕生精力致力于科研。