-에 의해
By, Through, According to
-에 의해 means 'by' or 'through' and marks the cause or agent of an action in formal or written contexts.
How It Works
-에 의해 is a formal particle expression that serves two main functions:
1. Agent of a Passive Action ('by')
This is its most common use. In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action. -에 의해 marks the noun that performs the action. Passive verbs are often formed using endings like -이/히/리/기- or by combining a verb with -아/어지다 or a noun with 되다.
- Active: 경찰이 도둑을 잡았다. (The police caught the thief.)
- Passive: 도둑이 경찰에 의해 잡혔다. (The thief was caught by the police.)
2. Basis or Means ('according to', 'through')
It can also indicate the basis, reason, or means by which something happens. This usage is similar to -에 따라(서) (according to) or -로 인해 (due to).
- 법에 의해 모든 사람은 평등하다. (According to the law, all people are equal.)
Important Note on Formality:
-에 의해 is predominantly used in written language (news articles, academic papers, official documents) and formal speech. In casual conversation, it's much more common to use an active sentence. For example, instead of saying "점심이 저에 의해 준비되었어요" (Lunch was prepared by me), a native speaker would simply say "제가 점심을 준비했어요" (I prepared lunch).
Examples (5)
- 이 건물은 유명한 건축가에 의해 설계되었다.
This building was designed by a famous architect.
Word by Word: This building famous architect-by was designed.
유명한 건축가 (famous architect) is the agent who performed the action of designing. The verb is in the passive form 설계되다 (to be designed).
- 태풍에 의해 많은 집들이 파괴되었습니다.
Many houses were destroyed by the typhoon.
Word by Word: Typhoon-by many houses were destroyed.
태풍 (typhoon) is the non-human agent that caused the destruction.
- 모든 결정은 규칙에 의해 이루어져야 합니다.
All decisions must be made according to the rules.
Word by Word: All decisions rules-by must be made.
Here, -에 의해 means 'according to' or 'based on'. The basis for the action is 규칙 (rules).
- 새로운 법률이 국회에 의해 통과되었다.
A new law was passed by the National Assembly.
Word by Word: New law National Assembly-by was passed.
- 이 문제는 대화에 의해 평화적으로 해결될 수 있다.
This problem can be solved peacefully through dialogue.
Word by Word: This problem dialogue-by peacefully can be solved.
In this case, -에 의해 indicates the means or method (dialogue) for solving the problem.
Common Mistakes
Using -에 의해 in casual, everyday conversation.
Different Meaning이 케이크는 나에 의해 만들어졌어.Better이 케이크는 내가 만들었어.-에 의해 is very formal and sounds unnatural in casual speech. It's much more common and natural to use an active sentence ('I made this cake') instead of a passive one ('This cake was made by me').
Using -에 의해 instead of -에게/한테 with certain passive verbs.
Different Meaning아이가 낯선 사람에 의해 쫓겼어요.Better아이가 낯선 사람에게 쫓겼어요.While grammatically possible, for many passive verbs where a person is the agent, using 에게 or 한테 is more natural than -에 의해. This is especially true for verbs like 맞다 (to be hit), 잡히다 (to be caught), and 쫓기다 (to be chased).
Learn This First
To express passive agency 'by/through', you need the basic marker 에 and agency patterns.
Related Patterns
- -아/어지다Become, Turn into
-아/어지다 is a key way to form passive verbs. -에 의해 is frequently used in the same sentence to specify the agent that causes the action or change indicated by the -아/어지다 verb.
- -에 따라(서)According to, Depending on
This means 'according to' and is very similar to the second meaning of -에 의해. However, -에 따라(서) emphasizes following a rule, plan, or instruction, while -에 의해 can imply a more direct cause or basis.
- -로 인해Due to, Because of
Meaning 'due to' or 'because of', -로 인해 also points to a cause. It is often used for negative consequences and focuses on the reason. -에 의해 is broader and can indicate a neutral agent or means, not just a reason for a negative outcome.
- -을/를 통해Through, By Means of
Meaning 'through' or 'by means of', this pattern is similar to -에 의해 when indicating a method. -을/를 통해 often emphasizes the medium or process (e.g., 'through the internet'), while -에 의해 can refer to a more direct agent or cause.