由

• Pinyin: yóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 由 = pictograph, originally depicting something emerging from a source, meaning 'from' or 'by'

Meaning

By; from; due to. A preposition indicating the agent, cause, or origin of an action.

Functions as a preposition with several uses: to indicate who performs an action (由他负责 = handled by him), to indicate cause (由于 = due to), or to indicate a starting point (由北到南 = from north to south). Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Examples

1. 这件事由我来负责。 This matter will be handled by me.
2. 会议的时间由老板决定。 The meeting time is decided by the boss.
3. 你不能由别人替你做决定。 You can't let others make decisions for you.

Usage Guide

Context: work, official, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个项目由王老师负责。(This project is handled by Teacher Wang.)
• 由你来选吧。(You choose. / It's up to you.)

Don't Say

• 我由北京来的。(When expressing where you come from, say 我从北京来的 — use 从 for physical origin in everyday speech)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph possibly depicting oil flowing from a container, later extended to mean 'from' or 'by.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal