Definitions
(preposition)
from; by; via; through
(preposition)
because of; due to
(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
The character '由' has maintained a consistent graphical form throughout its history, typically analyzed as a vertical stroke intersecting a enclosed shape, which historically derived from a pictographic representation of a container or a passageway. Its etymological origins are linked to concepts of source and pathway, with early usages in classical Chinese denoting 'from' or 'by means of,' reflecting a concrete sense of origin or medium. Over centuries, its semantic range expanded into more abstract domains, primarily indicating cause, reason, or justification, as seen in its role within modern compounds like '由于' (due to) and '理由' (reason). This evolution from tangible to abstract meaning occurred without significant alteration to its structure, and it remains identical in both orthographic systems, often functioning as a phonetic or semantic component in other characters.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这件事由你决定。
由于下雨，比赛推迟了。
自由非常重要。
这个任务由我们团队完成。
由于交通堵塞，我迟到了。
失败的理由有很多。
由于努力学习，他取得了好成绩。
这个方案由多个部门联合制定，以确保其可行性和有效性。