由

yóu

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

yóu (preposition) from; by; via; through

yóu (preposition) because of; due to

yóu (verb) to depend on; to be up to

Etymology

Depicts a kind of helmet worn by warriors. Based on the original meaning "helmet", now written as 胄. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

Originally, 由 was a pictograph of a helmet worn by warriors, a meaning now written as 胄. Through phonetic loan, it took on grammatical and abstract uses unrelated to its form, serving as a preposition for "from", "by", or "through", and as a noun for "cause", "reason", or "motive". Its modern shape, a 田 with a vertical stroke extending above the top, is a stylized descendant of that early helmet depiction.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这件事由你决定。

Zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ juédìng.

This matter is decided by you.

由于下雨，比赛推迟了。

Yóuyú xià yǔ, bǐsài tuīchí le.

Due to rain, the match was postponed.

自由非常重要。

Zìyóu fēicháng zhòngyào.

Freedom is very important.

这个任务由我们团队完成。

Zhège rènwù yóu wǒmen tuánduì wánchéng.

This task is completed by our team.

由于交通堵塞，我迟到了。

Yóuyú jiāotōng dǔsè, wǒ chídào le.

Due to traffic jam, I was late.

失败的理由有很多。

Shībài de lǐyóu yǒu hěnduō.

There are many reasons for failure.

由于努力学习，他取得了好成绩。

Yóuyú nǔlì xuéxí, tā qǔdé le hǎo chéngjì.

Due to hard work, he achieved good grades.

这个方案由多个部门联合制定，以确保其可行性和有效性。

Zhège fāng'àn yóu duō gè bùmén liánhé zhìdìng, yǐ quèbáo qí kěxíng xìng hé yǒuxiào xìng.

This plan is jointly formulated by multiple departments to ensure its feasibility and effectiveness.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 由

由