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由
Character learning workspace

yóu · cause, reason

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 4Frequency #353
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Learn every stroke in 由

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Step-by-step explorer

See how 由 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

由
Complete decomposition unavailableThis character is currently indexed as a single visual form.
Writing notes

Shape and proportion

5Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Single-componentCharacter structure

Keep the whole form centered inside the writing square.

田Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 由 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 由

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

yóuWords pronounced yóu
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 由 sits in each complete thought.

Yóu yú wǒ shēng bìng le, wǒ biàn méi qù shàng xué.由于我生病了，我便没去上学。

I didn't go to school because I was sick.

Source: Tatoeba #7768322 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ méi yǒu tè bié de lǐ yóu qù zuò.我没有特别的理由去做。

I have no particular reason to do so.

Source: Tatoeba #5698035 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ shì yí gè zì yóu de rén.我是一個自由的人。

I'm a free man.

Source: Tatoeba #793247 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Yóu zhe nǐ ba.由着你吧。

As you wish.

Source: Tatoeba #4163780 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà shì wǒ zài zhè lǐ de lìng wài yí gè lǐ yóu.那是我在这里的另外一个理由。

That's the other reason I'm here.

Source: Tatoeba #4844844 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nà jiù shì tā shēng qì de lǐ yóu.那就是他生气的理由。

That's the reason he became angry.

Source: Tatoeba #1873019 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 由 in context

  1. Say yóu, then recall the core meaning: cause, reason.
  2. Write all 5 strokes while keeping the single-component balanced.
  3. Use it in 由于 (yóu yú), meaning “due to”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 由 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.