Hello there! If you’re eager to learn how to say “by” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways to express “by” in Chinese, while providing you with useful tips and plenty of examples. Let’s delve into it!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways
When it comes to formal ways to say “by” in Chinese, there are several options you can use depending on the context. Here are the most common ones:
- 靠 (kào)
The word “靠” (kào) is widely used in formal Chinese to indicate the sense of “by” or “near.” It implies a physical closeness or reliance on something as a means. Let’s see it in action:
我靠窗户坐着 (Wǒ kào chuānghù zuòzhe) – I sit by the window.
经由 (jīngyóu)
Another formal way of expressing “by” in Chinese is “经由” (jīngyóu), which carries the connotation of passing through or by means of something:
他经由花园跑了 (Tā jīngyóu huāyuán pǎole) – He ran by the garden
透过 (tòuguò)
“透过” (tòuguò) is a formal phrase used to convey the translation of “by” as “through” or “via.” Let’s take a look:
我透过电视看新闻 (Wǒ tòuguò diànshì kàn xīnwén) – I watch the news by/through the television.
Informal Ways
Now, let’s explore some informal expressions commonly used by native speakers to mean “by” in a more casual or conversational context:
- 用 (yòng)
The most common and versatile word for “by” in informal Chinese is “用” (yòng). It can be used to indicate “by means of” or “with.” Take a look at these examples:
我用手机拍照 (Wǒ yòng shǒujī pāizhào) – I take photos with my phone.
我用水洗蔬菜 (Wǒ yòng shuǐ xǐ shūcài) – I wash vegetables with water.
凭 (píng)
“凭” (píng) is commonly used in informal Chinese to express “by” in the sense of “based on” or “relying on.” Check out these examples:
他凭直觉做出了决定 (Tā píng zhíjué zuò chūle juédìng) – He made the decision based on his intuition.
我凭记忆找到了那家店 (Wǒ píng jìyì zhǎodàole nà jiā diàn) – I found that shop by relying on my memory.
由于 (yóuyú)
In informal situations, native Chinese speakers often use “由于” (yóuyú) to mean “by” in the sense of “due to” or “because of.” Here are a couple of examples:
由于天气不好，我们取消了计划 (Yóuyú tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen qǔxiāole jìhuà) – We canceled our plans due to bad weather.
由于时间紧迫，我只好放弃了这个项目 (Yóuyú shíjiān jǐnpò, wǒ zhǐhǎo fàngqìle zhège xiàngmù) – Due to time constraints, I had to give up on this project.
Tips for Usage
Here are some essential tips to make your usage of the word “by” in Chinese more accurate and natural:
- Context Matters: Always consider the context in which you want to use the word “by” in Chinese. Different situations may require different expressions.
- Pronunciation: Pay attention to the correct pronunciation of Chinese words. Practice speaking them aloud to improve your fluency.
- Practice Sentence Patterns: Familiarize yourself with common sentence patterns using “by” to express various actions or means.
- Use Sample Sentences: Revisit the examples provided in this guide to reinforce your understanding and remember how to use them appropriately.
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you practice using these expressions in real conversations or writing, the more natural they will become to you.
Now, armed with these formal and informal ways to express “by” in Chinese, you’ll be able to confidently navigate various situations and effectively convey your intended meaning.
Happy learning and best of luck on your Chinese language journey!
