由 yóu

由（yóu）means “由 = 'by' — marks the agent who takes charge, decides, or performs an action”. 由 introduces the person or organization responsible for handling or deciding something: 由 + [agent] + [action]. Formation: 由 + 人/机构 + 动词短语（负责/决定/完成……）

由 = 'by' — marks the agent who takes charge, decides, or performs an action

HSK4

Formation

由 + 人/机构 + 动词短语（负责/决定/完成……）

Explanation

由 introduces the person or organization responsible for handling or deciding something: 由 + [agent] + [action]. It is common with 负责 (be in charge), 决定 (decide), 完成 (complete). It thus also serves to mark the doer in an agentive/passive-like sense.

Examples

这件事 由 我负责。
zhè jiàn shì yóu wǒ fùzé.
I am in charge of this matter.
这个方案 由 大家一起决定。
zhège fāng'àn yóu dàjiā yìqǐ juédìng.
This plan is to be decided by everyone together.

Note

由 focuses on 'who is responsible'; for the pure passive 'be affected by' use 被.

FAQ

由 — what does it mean and how is it used?

由 = 'by' — marks the agent who takes charge, decides, or performs an action. 由 introduces the person or organization responsible for handling or deciding something: 由 + [agent] + [action]. It is common with 负责 (be in charge), 决定 (decide), 完成 (complete). It thus also serves to mark the doer in an agentive/passive-like sense.

由 — how do you form it?

由 + 人/机构 + 动词短语（负责/决定/完成……）

由 — any usage notes?

由 focuses on 'who is responsible'; for the pure passive 'be affected by' use 被.

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