由…组成
to be made up of; 由 marks who or what does the job
Structure
整体 由 部分 组成 · 对象 由 负责方 动词
What it means
由 introduces the parts something is made of (由…组成／构成), or the party responsible for a job (由…负责／管辖／决定).
How it is built
Whole + 由 + parts + 组成: 中国由34个省级行政区组成 (China is made up of 34 province-level units). Thing + 由 + responsible party + verb: 直辖市由中央直接管辖.
When to use it
Common in descriptions, textbooks and official writing. 由 is neutral, unlike 被, which often hints at something done to you: 这件事由他负责 simply says who is in charge.
Watch out
Keep the order whole first, parts after 由: ✗ 34个省级行政区由中国组成。 ✓ 中国由34个省级行政区组成。 For who does a job, use 由, not 被: ✓ 由经理决定。
Examples
中国由34个省级行政区组成。
China is made up of 34 province-level units.
直辖市由中央直接管辖。
Municipalities are governed directly by the centre.
Learn this in Lesson 1 · HSK 5: 中国的行政区划 (How the country is divided)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →