由 yóu — follow; from; it is for...to; reason; cause; because of
这件事由你来决定。Zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ lái jué dìng.This matter is for you to decide.
Common words: 自由 (zì yóu)、由于 (yóu yú)、理由 (lǐ yóu)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "follow"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "follow", including 由 (yóu), 迪 (dí). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words, and examples.
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "follow" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 由 (yóu), 迪 (dí) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span yóu, dí — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 由 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 由 yóufollow; from; it is for...to; reason; cause; because ofUseful words: 自由, 由于
- 迪 dídirect; followUseful words: 启迪, 迪吧
Common words for these 2 "follow" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 由 (yóu) — so "follow" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "follow".
迪 dí — direct; follow
迪士尼乐园是孩子们最喜欢的地方。Dí shì ní lè yuán shì hái zi men zuì xǐ huan de dì fang.Disneyland is the children favorite place.
Common words: 启迪 (qǐ dí)、迪吧 (dí bā)、训迪 (xùn dí)
All 2 characters
Open 由、迪 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.