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HSK 4 Grammar: Introducing Causes with the Preposition 由于 (yóuyú)
由于 (yóuyú) introduces a cause and often sounds more written or formal than 因为. This HSK 4 lesson practices noun-phrase causes placed before an outcome, while distinguishing them from the predicate frame 是由于……, which presents the reason after the outcome.
由于天气原因，今天的足球比赛取消了。
Here 由于 introduces the noun phrase 天气原因 at the start of a formal announcement before the result clause.
Read the full explanation and examples
What 由于 Means as a Preposition
In the HSK 4 grammar outline, 由于1 is categorized under prepositions (介词) that introduce a reason or cause (引出原因). It translates naturally into English as 'due to', 'owing to', or 'because of'. While Chinese learners also encounter 由于 as a conjunction connecting full clauses, its role as a preposition specifically pairs it with a noun phrase or nominalized expression to state the underlying factor behind a situation.
As a preposition, 由于 belongs primarily to written Chinese, news reports, public notices, and relatively formal spoken announcements. When speakers want to state an objective factor—such as weather conditions, work requirements, a person's carelessness, or group support—由于 frames that noun phrase as the background cause leading to the main predicate.
Core Sentence Structures
The two basic adverbial patterns below place the cause before the result predicate. The cause phrase can frame the whole sentence or come after the subject. These are useful neutral writing models, not a ban on every sentence in which a reason follows an outcome.
由于天气原因，今天的足球比赛取消了。
Here 由于 introduces the noun phrase 天气原因 at the start of a formal announcement before the result clause.
由于他的粗心，公司受到了很大的损失。
The adjective 粗心 is nominalized by 他的, functioning as the noun-phrase object of the preposition 由于.
Alternatively, when the writer wants to establish the topic or actor first, the subject can appear at the start of the sentence, immediately followed by the 由于 phrase and then the result predicate.
他由于工作关系，上个月搬到了上海。
The subject 他 appears first, followed immediately by the prepositional phrase 由于工作关系 and then the main action.
Natural Usage and Typical Objects
For the prepositional pattern taught here, practice causes such as 大雾、工作关系 and 大家的支持. Their length and internal structure vary: no two-syllable noun or 的 is compulsory. 由于 can also introduce a full causal clause, as in 由于他临时有事，会议改期了; that construction is often analyzed as conjunction use.
- Abstract category nouns: 天气原因 (weather reasons), 时间关系 (time constraints), 身体原因 (health reasons).
- Possessive + nominalized quality or action: 他的粗心 (his carelessness), 大家的支持 (everyone's support), 领导的重视 (the leadership's attention).
- Direct environmental or situational nouns: 大雾 (heavy fog), 暴雨 (heavy rain), 故障 (technical malfunction).
由于 can introduce a positive or negative cause or outcome. Everyone’s support may lead to a successful event, just as fog may lead to a delay. Choose the word for the causal relationship and register, not because the event is bad.
由于大家的支持，这次活动办得非常成功。
Shows that 由于 can introduce the cause of a favorable outcome just as naturally as an unfavorable one.
Contrasting 由于 with 因为
Learners frequently ask how the preposition 由于 differs from 因为, which can also precede noun phrases (as in 因为天气). While their core meaning overlaps, three practical boundaries help you choose the right word:
- Register: 因为 is the usual relaxed conversational choice. 由于 is common in reports and notices, and may sound more formal in a personal explanation. This is a tendency, not a ban on casual use or a guarantee that the claimed cause is objective.
- Answering 为什么: 因为…… is a natural direct reply. A reply beginning with 由于 is possible in a more formal explanation; for example, 由于天气原因，比赛取消了. Judge the setting and completeness of the reply rather than declaring the word impossible in answers.
- Result first: do not infer that 由于 is forbidden whenever a result comes first. 今天的航班延误是由于大雾 is a clear explanation. In a neutral written sentence, this explicit predicate or a cause-first pattern is usually clearer than appending a disconnected reason fragment.
Two Clear Ways to Present the Same Cause
For a flight delayed by fog, you can put the cause first or present it after 是. The examples express the same cause and outcome with different information order. A detached afterthought may depend on pauses and context, so use these complete patterns for clear neutral writing.
今天的航班延误是由于大雾。
是由于 introduces the reason as the predicate after the flight delay has been named. Compare the cause-first sentence next.
由于大雾，今天的航班延误了。
Here 由于大雾 precedes the outcome as an adverbial cause phrase. It expresses the same causal link as the preceding 是由于 example.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the syllabus label this point 由于1?
The supplied outline uses 由于1 as the label for its prepositional cause use. This lesson practices noun-phrase causes such as 大雾 and 大家的支持. Do not treat the numeral as a universal dictionary sense number, or infer that 由于 can never introduce a full clause.
Does 由于 only introduce negative causes like delays or mistakes?
No. Although it often appears in notices about delays or cancellations, 由于 is neutral and frequently introduces positive causes, such as owing to everyone's hard work or support.
Can I use 由于 in everyday casual conversation?
It is grammatically possible, but it usually sounds too formal for casual chat about everyday personal matters. In relaxed conversation, speakers strongly prefer 因为.
