Meaning
follow; from; it is for...to; reason; cause; because of
Chinese: 由于、从、由某人负责。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “you” becomes a different word in each tone. 由 is the 2nd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 自由zì yóufreedom; liberty; free; unrestricted
- 由于yóu yúdue to; as a result of; thanks to; owing to
- 理由lǐ yóureason; grounds; justification
- 由此yóu cǐhereby; from this
- 不由得bù yóu decan't help; cannot but
More Words
Example Sentence
这件事由你来决定。Zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ lái jué dìng.This matter is for you to decide.
这Zhèthis件jiànitem事由shì yóumain content你nǐyou来láito come决定jué dìngdecision (CL:个,项)。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
A pictograph (variously a field with a sprout, or a vessel). It means ‘from, by, through; cause, reason; to follow, be up to (someone)’ (由于, 自由, 理由).
A way to remember it
‘From / by / up to’: 由你决定 (up to you).