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由于

yóu yú
HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Preposition Common

Definitions

  1. 1. due to
  2. 2. as a result of
  3. 3. thanks to
  4. 4. owing to
  5. 5. since
  6. 6. because

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items
因此
yīn cǐ

thus; consequently; as a result

因此 means 'therefore' and often pairs with 由于 in cause-effect sentences.
所以
suǒ yǐ

therefore

所以 means 'so'; 因为 pairs with 所以, while 由于 more naturally pairs with 因此.

Synonyms

1 item
因为
yīn wèi

because

Both mean 'because' or 'due to'; 因为 can be used in the pattern 因为...所以... while 由于 is more formal and often used in the pattern 由于...因此...

Usage notes

Common mistakes

由于 often pairs with 因此, not 所以. Using 所以 with 由于 can sound awkward in formal writing.

Formality

由于 is more formal than 因为 and is common in written or formal spoken contexts.

Grammar

Guides that feature 由于

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3 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min
……，因而... for “And So” in Written Chinese

因而 introduces a result in written Chinese, like 所以 but more formal, and it can come after the subject of the result clause.

Reading: yóu yú Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 5 min
由于 + Noun for “Due to …”

Use the preposition 由于 with a noun phrase, as in 由于天气原因，比赛推迟了, to name the cause of something in a formal way.

Reading: yóu yú Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
由于...因此...

Upgrade 因为...所以... into a more formal connector pair.

Reading: yóu yú Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
由于 经济衰退，公司不得不裁员。
Due to the economic recession, the company had to lay off employees.
由于 天气原因，比赛被取消了。
Due to the weather, the match was cancelled.
由于 缺乏资金，项目停滞了。
Due to lack of funds, the project came to a standstill.
由于 天气原因，航班延误了两个小时。
The flight was delayed for two hours due to weather.
由于 地震，居民们撤离了城市。
Due to the earthquake, residents evacuated the city.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 由于

于
yú

(of time or place) in; at; on

由
yóu

to follow