“By” in Chinese – 由 yóu 1

Grammar Point:
In Chinese, 由 yóu is often used to indicate “by” in the sense of agency, responsibility, or cause. It is commonly seen in formal writing or official contexts rather than casual speech.

Structure

由 yóu + Starting Point/Route/Method + V

由 yóu is a more formal alternative to 從 cóng when indicating route, means, or direction. It’s commonly used in instructions, signs, and formal descriptions to specify movement or how something is done.

由yóu此cǐ入rù內nèi由yóu此cǐ入rù内nèi
Enter through here.

由yóu水路shuǐlù而ér來lái由yóu水路shuǐlù而ér来lái
Came by water route.

這zhè些xiē書shū都dōu是shì由yóu飛機fēijī運yùn來lái的de这zhè些xiē书shū都dōu是shì由yóu飞机fēijī运yùn来lái的de
These books were transported by airplane.

由yóu右邊yòubiān出口chūkǒu離開líkāi由yóu右边yòubian出口chūkǒu离开líkāi
Exit through the right exit.

FYI
In Chinese tradition, how you enter and exit a temple is symbolic!
👉 Entering from the Left Side (Left Blue Dragon – 左青龍): When you face the temple, entering from the left side is considered auspicious. The left side is associated with the “Blue Dragon,” symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and positive energy. Stepping in from here represents the arrival of blessings and a harmonious start.
👉 Exiting from the Right Side (Right White Tiger – 右白虎): After your visit or prayer, it’s customary to exit from the right side. This side is linked to the “White Tiger,” which represents protection and the removal of misfortune. Exiting from here is said to leave behind any negativity, ensuring that you walk away with only good vibes.

由 yóu + Person/Organization + V

由 yóu is a more formal way to indicate agency or responsibility compared to 被 bèi in passive voice. Unlike 被 bèi, which often has a negative connotation, 由 yóu simply states who is responsible for an action or decision.

這zhè次cì考試kǎoshì的de時間shíjiān由yóu老師lǎoshī安排ānpái这zhè次cì考试kǎoshì的de时间shíjiān由yóu老师lǎoshī安排ānpái
The exam time is arranged by the teacher.

這zhè本běn書shū由yóu他tā翻譯fānyì的de这zhè本běn书shū由yóu他tā翻译fānyì的de
This book was translated by him.

這zhè次cì會議huìyì由yóu經理jīnglǐ主持zhǔchí这zhè次cì会议huìyì由yóu经理jīnglǐ主持zhǔchí
This meeting is hosted by the manager.

那nà些xiē錢qián該gāi由yóu我wǒ付fù那nà些xiē钱qián该gāi由yóu我wǒ付fù
That money should be paid by me.

我wǒ的de未來wèilái由yóu我wǒ自己zìjǐ掌握zhǎngwò我wǒ的de未来wèilái由yóu我wǒ自己zìjǐ掌握zhǎngwò
My future is in my own hands.

由 yóu + Basis/Standard + V

由 yóu is often used to mean “according to” when indicating a basis or standard, and it’s commonly found in rules, guidelines, and formal documents.

薪水xīnshuǐ由yóu工作gōngzuò經驗jīngyàn決定juédìng薪水xīnshuǐ由yóu工作gōngzuò经验jīngyàn决定juédìng
The salary is determined based on work experience.

你nǐ的de想法xiǎngfǎ由yóu你nǐ的de行動xíngdòng來lái證明zhèngmíng你nǐ的de想法xiǎngfǎ由yóu你nǐ的de行动xíngdòng来lái证明zhèngmíng
Your thoughts are proven by your actions.

你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén能力nénglì好hǎo不好bùhǎo， 是shì由yóu你nǐ的de詞彙cíhuì、 語法yǔfǎ、 發音fāyìn的de掌握zhǎngwò度dù來lái判別pànbié你nǐ的de中文zhōngwén水平shuǐpíng好hǎo不好bùhǎo， 是shì由yóu你nǐ的de词汇cíhuì、 语法yǔfǎ、 发音fāyìn的de掌握zhǎngwò度dù来lái判别pànbié
Whether your Chinese ability is good or not is determined by your mastery of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

座位zuòwèi的de順序shùnxù由yóu報名bàomíng時間shíjiān先後xiānhòu決定juédìng座位zuòwèi的de顺序shùnxù由yóu报名bàomíng时间shíjiān先后xiānhòu决定juédìng
The seating order is determined by the order of registration.

• “Due to” in Chinese – 由於于 yóuyú (HSK 3)