于 yú

于（yú）means “于 (written) 'in / at / to / from', attaching time, place, or source after a verb”. 于 is a bookish coverb attached directly after a verb (or in fixed compounds) to mark time, place, or source: 生于1990年 'born in 1990', 位于市中心 'located in the city center', 来源于生活 'derives from life'. Formation: 动词 + 于 + 时间/地点/来源（书面）

于 (written) 'in / at / to / from', attaching time, place, or source after a verb

HSK5

Formation

动词 + 于 + 时间/地点/来源（书面）

Explanation

于 is a bookish coverb attached directly after a verb (or in fixed compounds) to mark time, place, or source: 生于1990年 'born in 1990', 位于市中心 'located in the city center', 来源于生活 'derives from life'. It is compact and formal; in everyday speech 在/到/从 are used instead.

Examples

他出生于1990年。
tā chūshēng yú 1990 nián.
He was born in 1990.
这些词来源于古代汉语。
zhèxiē cí láiyuán yú gǔdài hànyǔ.
These words come from ancient Chinese.

Note

Written register. Everyday equivalents: 在/到/从. Common: 位于, 属于, 来源于, 善于.

FAQ

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

于 (written) 'in / at / to / from', attaching time, place, or source after a verb. 于 is a bookish coverb attached directly after a verb (or in fixed compounds) to mark time, place, or source: 生于1990年 'born in 1990', 位于市中心 'located in the city center', 来源于生活 'derives from life'. It is compact and formal; in everyday speech 在/到/从 are used instead.

于 — how do you form it?

动词 + 于 + 时间/地点/来源（书面）

于 — any usage notes?

Written register. Everyday equivalents: 在/到/从. Common: 位于, 属于, 来源于, 善于.

Learn in the app →