What does 由 mean in Chinese?

由 (yóu) means "to follow; from; it is for...to; reason; cause; because of; due to; to; to leave it (to sb); by (introduces passive verb)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 由?

由 is pronounced "yóu" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 由?

由 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 由?

Common words with 由 include 不由得 (can't help), 不由自主 (can't help; involuntarily (idiom)), 不由 (can't help (doing sth)), 事由 (main content), 任由 (to let (sb do sth)).

How do you write 由?

You can practice writing 由 using our stroke order tool.

由 (yóu), to follow

由

yóu

to follow; from; it is for...to; reason

HSK 4verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 田 (no. 102)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to follow
from
it is for...to
reason
cause
because of
due to
to
to leave it (to sb)
by (introduces passive verb)

Example Sentences

由他决定。

Yóu tā juédìng

Let him decide

Words Containing 由

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
不由得	bù yóu de	can't help	HSK 7-9
不由自主	bù yóu zì zhǔ	can't help; involuntarily (idiom)	HSK 7-9
不由	bù yóu	can't help (doing sth)
事由	shì yóu	main content
任由

Related Words

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

由: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 由 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.