由 (by/up to)

• 拼音: yóu
• 结构: Topic + 由 + Person + Verb
• 汉字拆解: 由 = pictograph of a sprout emerging from a container, representing origin or source

含义

The preposition 由 introduces the person responsible for or in charge of an action. It emphasizes who the doer is, meaning 'by,' 'up to,' or 'handled by.' The structure places the doer prominently after 由.

由 is more formal than 让 or 叫 for designating who does something, and it carries a tone of authority or official assignment. It is commonly used in work, organizational, and formal contexts: 由经理决定 (decided by the manager), 由公司承担 (borne by the company). Unlike 被 which marks the passive voice and often implies that the subject is affected by the action, 由 simply identifies the agent without any passive or negative connotation. The verb after the doer often includes 来 (to come and do) for emphasis: 由我来负责 (I'll be the one to take charge). This pattern is very productive in both spoken and written Chinese.

例句

1. 这件事由经理来决定。
2. 今天的会议由我来主持。
3. 接下来的工作由新同事负责。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, formal

语气: authoritative

正确说法

• 最后的方案由大家投票决定。
• 晚饭由我来做吧。
• 项目的进度由组长来监督。

错误说法

• 这件事由来决定经理。(由 introduces the doer, who must come right after 由, followed by the verb — say 由经理来决定) → 这件事由经理来决定。
• 这个问题由被他解决了。(由 and 被 are both agent markers and cannot be stacked together — use one or the other) → 这个问题由他解决了。

起源与历史

The character 由 originally depicted the path or channel through which something flows, meaning 'from' or 'through.' Its grammatical use to mark the agent of an action extends this meaning — the action flows from or originates with the designated person.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal