HSK 5
由
yóu
由 to indicate the person responsible for a role or task
Explanation
'由' (yóu) is a preposition (a word placed before a noun to indicate a relationship: at, with, for, by...) used to indicate who takes on or is responsible for a task or role. Its meaning is close to 'by... (undertaking)' or 'for... (to do)' in Vietnamese.
由 yóu + person/group (the designated agent) + (来 lái) + verb. The character 来 (lái) is often added to stress the idea of 'stepping up to do it.'
When assigning or clearly designating who will take on a task; it carries a formal, clear tone, often found in written usage and polite communication, announcements, and regulations.
Vietnamese learners often confuse 由 (yóu, indicating the person in charge / the origin) with 被 (bèi, used for passive sentences — describing the object acted upon). 由你回答 = 'you are the one who answers'; it cannot be replaced by 被; and do not drop the agent after 由.
Examples
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Practice
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Learn “由” effectively
The grammar point “由” (由 to indicate the person responsible for a role or task) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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