Meaning of 出于
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- due to
- to stem from
How to use 出于
出于 is a formal word placed before a motive or reason, often in the pattern 出于 + noun + 的考虑 or 出于 + feeling. It explains why someone acted. Example: 他这样做是出于好心。(Tā zhèyàng zuò shì chūyú hǎoxīn.) He did this out of kindness.
出 (chū) means to come out, and 于 (yú) means from. Something that comes out from a reason or feeling is something that stems from it.
Common mistake: Learners often use 出于 for physical causes like weather, where 由于 (yóuyú) is the natural choice. 出于 usually points to a motive, attitude, or consideration, such as 出于安全考虑 (out of safety concerns).
出于 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
出 chū · to go out · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
于 yú · to go · 3 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
Related words
Words that share a character with 出于.
| 出来 | chūlái | to come out; to appear |
| 出去 | chūqù | to go out |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear; to arise; to emerge; to show up |
| 出发 | chūfā | to set off; to start (on a journey); (fig.) to proceed from (a particular standpoint or ba |
| 出生 | chūshēng | to be born |
| 提出 | tíchū | to raise (an issue); to propose |
| 找出 | zhǎochū | to find; to search out |
| 出口 | chūkǒu | an exit; to speak |
| 拿出 | náchū | to take out; to put out |
| 出门 | chūmén | to go out; to leave home |
| 出租车 | chūzūchē | taxi; (Tw) rental car |
| 等于 | děngyú | to equal; to be tantamount to |
Questions about 出于
What does 出于 mean?
出于 (chūyú) means "due to; to stem from" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 出于?
出于 is made of 2 characters: 出 (5 strokes), 于 (3 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 出于 an HSK word?
Yes. 出于 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 出于 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 出于 is written 出於.
What is the difference between 出于 and 由于?
由于 (yóuyú) is a general word for because of and can introduce any cause, including events. 出于 focuses on the inner motive or purpose behind a person's choice, like 出于礼貌 (out of politeness).
Can 出于 mean to come from a place?
Yes, in written or literary Chinese it can mean to originate from, as in 青出于蓝 (qīng chūyú lán), blue comes from the indigo plant, meaning a student surpasses the teacher. In everyday modern use, though, it mostly means out of a reason or motive.