由

yóu

preposition HSK 3 #573

Meanings

1 from; by
2 due to; because of
3 to follow; to let

Characters

from; due to; to follow

Examples

这件事由我来负责。

Zhè jiàn shì yóu wǒ lái fùzé.

I'll take responsibility for this matter.

由北往南走。

Yóu běi wǎng nán zǒu.

Go from north to south.

由你决定。

Yóu nǐ juédìng.

It's up to you to decide.

Tips

grammar

由 is used to indicate agency (who does something): 由我来做 (I'll do it). It's more formal than 让 (ràng). Also used in 由于 (due to), 自由 (freedom).

Stroke Order

由 yóu