由
to follow; from; because of; due to; by; via; through; (before a noun and a verb) it is for ... to ...
Closest English meanings
from·reason·cause·by·through
The Calligrapher — Shǐ Wéizé 史惟则
Tang master of seal and eight-division clerical script (bafen); one of Four Tang clerical masters.
Tang calligrapher (), master of seal script/八分 — known for 《大智禅师碑》. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
You is the path one follows — hence from, through, because of. The Analects already argues over it: 'the people may be made to follow a way, but not to understand it.' From following came reasons and origins — every classical preface asks a matter's 由来, whence it came.
Common words & phrases
- 由于 because · due to · owing to · for
- 自由 freedom · liberty · free · independence
- 理由 reason · grounds · cause · excuse
- 由来 origin · source · cause · history
- 由此 from this · hence · therefore
- 由衷 from the heart · sincere · heartfelt
Read the story behind the character
Modern grammar leans on the little word hourly: 由于, due to, opens the weather report; 理由, reason, fills paperwork and apologies; 由此, from this, drives a paragraph's logic; and 自由, freedom — following oneself — remains the century's most contested compound.
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