由此可见

• Pinyin: yóu cǐ kě jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 由 = from (starting point); 此 = this (preceding evidence); 可 = 口 + 丁 (possible, can); 见 = 目 + 人 (eye + person — to perceive)

Meaning

From this it can be seen; this demonstrates that. A formal logical connector introducing a conclusion or inference that follows from the preceding evidence or argument.

More strictly logical and less evaluative than 由此看来 (judging from this). Used to present a conclusion as logically derivable from the evidence — implying that the inference is relatively clear and compelling. Common in academic theses, analytical reports, legal argumentation, and formal speeches. Often appears near the end of an argumentative paragraph.

Examples

1. 黄河水患频率与北方政权更迭的相关性长期存在，由此可见，生态退化与政治稳定并非偶然相连。 The long-standing correlation between the frequency of Yellow River floods and regime changes in the north shows that ecological decline and political stability are not connected by chance.
2. 双胞胎研究表明，在遗传背景相近时，早期教育环境对语言认知的影响与遗传因素大致相当，由此可见，环境与遗传不能简单对立。 Twin studies show that when genetic backgrounds are similar, early educational environment has an effect on language cognition roughly equal to genetic factors, which shows that environment and heredity cannot be simply opposed.
3. 青铜器成分分析显示，它们与楚地器物的配比完全一致，而与中原风格差异明显，由此可见，这批文物应出自楚国核心地区。 Component analysis of the bronzes shows that their alloy ratios exactly match objects from Chu territory and differ clearly from Central Plains styles. This shows that these relics were likely made in the core area of Chu.

Usage Guide

Context: academia, research, law, analysis

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 由此可见，公共交通越便利，居民活动越多，慢性病也越少。(From this, it can be seen that the more convenient public transport is, the more active residents are, and the fewer chronic diseases there are.)
• 由此可见，被告在谈判阶段就已预谋欺诈，并非事后过失。(From this, it can be seen that the defendant had already planned the fraud during the negotiation stage and was not merely negligent afterward.)

Don't Say

• 由此可见，这道菜很好吃 — 由此可见 requires a logical inference chain from substantive prior evidence; for expressing that food is tasty, just say the food is delicious directly; 由此可见 applied to a taste judgement sounds awkwardly academic and implies a logical argument that does not exist

Origin & History

由 (from — starting point) + 此 (this — pointing to the preceding) + 可 (can/may — 口 mouth + 丁 nail; possible, permissible) + 见 (see/perceive — 目 eye + 人 person; to observe and understand)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Educated adults

Social background: Universal