由……组成
is made up of …
Structure
整体 + 由 + 部分 + 组成
What it means
“Is made up of”: names the parts that form a whole.
How it is built
Whole + 由 + parts + 组成: 我们小组由三个中国人和两个外国人组成 (our group is made up of three Chinese and two foreigners). Add 主要 for “mostly”: 这片森林主要由松树组成.
When to use it
Good for describing groups, places and objects. If the parts are the subject, leave out 由 and use 组成 as an ordinary verb: 五个人组成了一个小组 (five people formed a group).
Watch out
Don’t drop 由 or swap it for 被 or 从: ✗ 我们小组被五个人组成。 ✓ 我们小组由五个人组成。 组成 closes the sentence.
Examples
这个公园由森林和动物区两个部分组成。
The park is made up of two parts: the forest and the wildlife area.
我们小组由三个中国人和两个外国人组成。
Our group is made up of three Chinese people and two foreigners.
这片森林主要由松树组成。
This forest is mostly made up of pines.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 12: 森林公园 (In the forest)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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