The preposition 由 (yóu) places the person or group responsible for an action right before the verb, formally assigning or clarifying responsibility. In the sentence 这个项目由我负责 (zhège xiàngmù yóu wǒ fùzé) — "This project is my responsibility" — 由 marks 我 (wǒ, me) as the one handling the project. Think of it as spotlighting the doer rather than the action itself.
The structure is simple: place 由 before the person or group carrying out the action, then add the verb. The example 这个项目由我负责 (zhège xiàngmù yóu wǒ fùzé) breaks down as "this project" (这个项目), followed by 由我 (yóu wǒ, by me), then 负责 (fùzé, to be responsible for). The result is a formal passive or assignment statement — common in workplace and group settings where you need to state clearly that a task belongs to someone.
This is a live conversation lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time, using your voice rather than typing. Mei Lin corrects grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level. The lesson targets this single grammar pattern and takes roughly 10 minutes. You will practice stating responsibility for tasks and asking about assignments in realistic workplace scenarios. After the lesson, you can print matching handwriting worksheets with the free Chinese Worksheet Generator to reinforce the characters.
For more advanced grammar, explore the full set of HSK 5 lessons, or try another HSK 5 live lesson on clarifying terms with 即 (jí). The first lesson is free to start — no credit card required to begin talking with Mei Lin.
由 (yóu) is a preposition meaning "by" in formal passive or assignment structures. It goes before the agent — the person or group carrying out an action — to spotlight that doer. In the pattern 由 + Agent + Verb, 由 clarifies responsibility rather than emphasizing the action itself.
Unlike 被 (bèi), which emphasizes the action done to a subject, 由 (yóu) — By (Agent in Formal Passive/Assignment) — focuses on the person responsible. You use 由 when assigning responsibility or clarifying the doer in formal contexts, such as stating that a project is handled by a specific colleague.
You will talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin, practicing the pattern 由 + Agent + Verb in workplace scenarios. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you speak, helping you state clearly that tasks belong to specific people and ask about assignments. The Assigning Responsibility lesson takes roughly 10 minutes.