由于(yóuyú)
Due To / Owing To
Structure Pattern
Explanation
由于 (yóuyú) means "due to" or "owing to." It's a formal equivalent of 因为, used primarily in writing, news, and official language. Unlike 因为 which can appear in casual speech, 由于 sounds stiff in conversation.
Key Difference from 因为:
- 因为 can come before or after the result: 我迟到了，因为堵车。
- 由于 can ONLY come before the result: 由于堵车，我迟到了。
- 由于 is often paired with 所以 or followed directly by the result.
Example Sentences
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Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, hángbān qǔxiāo le.
Due to weather reasons, the flight was cancelled.
Yóuyú tā de nǔlì, xiàngmù chénggōng le.
Thanks to his efforts, the project succeeded.
Yóuyú jīngyàn bùzú, tā fàn le hěn duō cuòwù.
Due to lack of experience, he made many mistakes.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
他迟到了由于堵车。
Correct Usage
由于堵车，他迟到了。
由于 must come BEFORE the result, not after. If you want to place the reason after the result, use 因为 instead.
Related Grammar Points
Because...Therefore
yīnwèi...suǒyǐ
Unlike English where you use either "because" OR "so," Chinese often uses BOTH 因为 and 所以 together. You can also use just one of them. 因为 introduces the reason, 所以 introduces the result.
The Reason Why...Is Because
zhīsuǒyǐ...shì yīnwèi
之所以...是因为 puts the RESULT first and the REASON second — the opposite of 因为...所以. This structure emphasizes the cause and is more formal and literary. Think of it as "The reason [result] is because [cause]."
Master 由于
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