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出于 (chū yú) — (verb) due to; out of; stemming from (used to indicate the reason or motive for an action)

Definition

Used in writing to explain motive or reason ('out of / stemming from'), often before a reason like 好奇 or 关心. Compare 因为 (everyday 'because of') and 源于 ('originate from', for sources, not motives).

verb
due toout ofstemming from (used to indicate the reason or motive for an action)

Examples

  • 出于。
    Tā zhè yàng zuò wán quán shì chū yú hǎo yì.
    He did this entirely out of good intentions.
  • 出于，。
    chū yú Ān quán kǎo lǜ, gōng sī jué dìng tuī chí huì yì.
    For safety reasons, the company decided to postpone the meeting.
  • 出于。
    Wǒ chū yú hào qí cái wèn le zhè ge wèn tí de.
    I asked this question out of curiosity.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

出chūcome out
于yúfrom

出, 'come out,' and 于, 'from,' combine to mean stemming from a source.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 一一yīflat stream of air
  • 丂丂kǎoto exhale

The old shape of 于 may have pictured an ancient wind instrument. Another explanation reads 一 as a flat stream of air and 丂 as an exhaling mark.

Open 于 →
Appears in
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