动词 + 于

于 after a verb or adjective: at, in, from, than, by

What it means

于 after a verb or adjective links it to a noun: at, in, from, than, by or towards, depending on the word.

How it is built

Verb／adjective + 于 + noun: 千里之行，始于足下 (A journey of a thousand li begins beneath your feet).

When to use it

One word, many relations: place (生于北京), source (出于好意), comparison (高于, 大于, 重于泰山), passive agent (受制于人), target (有利于, 忠于). Formal; speech uses 在, 从, 比, 被, 对.

Watch out

Learn each verb + 于 as a unit, and don’t double up: ✗ 有利于对身体 ✓ 有利于身体 (or 对身体有利). 于 already does the job of 在, 比 or 对.

Examples

Also in this lesson

• 所 + 动词
• 莫 / 莫不