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How to emphasize the doer of an action with 由 (yóu)

由 (yóu) + Person + Verb

由 (yóu) — emphasizing the doer of an action

HSK 4Verb phrases

Rule structure

由 (yóu) introduces the agent responsible for an action. It emphasizes who does it, often in assignments or arrangements.

Examples

这项任务由我负责。

Zhè xiàng rènwu yóu wǒ fùzé.

This task is assigned to me.

这本书由你读。

Zhè běnshū yóu nǐ dú.

This book is read by you.

Practice

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Characters

Words from this rule

由

yóu

By, from, due to

这

zhè

This

项

xiàng

Nape of the neck; item, clause; (measure word for tasks, projects, items in a list)

任务

rènwu

Task, mission

我

wǒ

I, me

负责

fùzé

To be responsible for, responsible

本

běn

Measure word for books and notebooks; root, origin

书

shū

Book

你

nǐ

You

读

dú

To read, to study, to read aloud

件

jiàn

(classifier for things, clothing, events)

事

shì

Matter

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “emphasizing the doer of an action” in Chinese with 由?

Use the structure: 由 (yóu) + Person + Verb. For example: 这项任务由我负责。 — “This task is assigned to me”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这项任务由我负责。 — “This task is assigned to me”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

到 — until (time/place/degree)

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree

害得 — causing a negative result

害得 (hàide) + Person + Verb Phrase

多 — doing something more

多 (duō) + Verb Phrase

并 — combining verbs with “and”

Verb 1 + 并 (bìng) + Verb 2

少 — doing something less

少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase

值得 — worth doing

值得 (zhídé) + Verb Phrase

帮忙 — separable verb

Verb + Object

并且 — moreover

Clause 1, 并且 (bìngqiě) + Clause 2