由 yóu because

源How it came to be

A pot with its neck drawn open and something rising out of the top. What the shape says is where a thing came out of, and from there it means by way of and because.

用How it is used

• 'From / by / due to,' marking cause or agent - 由于 (yóuyú) because of, 理由 (lǐyóu) reason, 由此 (yóucǐ) hence.
• As agent marker 'by whom': 这件事由你负责 (zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ fùzé) you are responsible for this.
• 自由 (zìyóu) freedom; 不由得 (bùyóude) 'can't help but.'

字Characters built with 由

• 邮 mail
• 油 oil
• 抽 extract
• 届 measure word for events that come round each year
• 袖 sleeve
• 宙 space
• 庙 temple
• 笛 bamboo flute
• 轴 axle
• 迪 to advance

词Words with 由

• 由于yóuyúdue toHSK 4
• 理由lǐyóureasonHSK 5
• 由此yóucǐherebyHSK 5
• 自由zìyóufreedomHSK 5
• 由来yóuláioriginHSK 6
• 不由得bùyóudecan't helpHSK 7
• 不由自主bùyóuzìzhǔcan't help butHSK 7
• 身不由己shēnbùyóujǐbeyond one's controlHSK 7
• 由衷yóuzhōngheartfeltHSK 9

句Example sentences

• 新书的序言由他执笔。 Xīnshū de xùyán yóu tā zhíbǐ.The new book's preface is written by him.
• 由于下雨，比赛取消了。 Yóuyú xiàyǔ, bǐsài qǔxiāo le.Due to the rain, the game has been canceled.
• 我有理由相信他会成功。 Wǒ yǒu lǐyóu xiāngxìn tā huì chénggōng.I have reason to believe that he will succeed.