V + 于: formal verbs (位于、高于、有助于…)
介词 / prepositions
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
V/Adj + 于 + N (place / comparison / target / origin)
于 after a verb or adjective forms many written compounds:
• Place: 位于 (be located at), 生于 (born in).
• Comparison: 高于、低于、大于、多于 ("higher than…").
• Target/domain: 有助于 (help to), 有利于 (be good for), 属于 (belong to), 致力于 (devote oneself to).
• Origin: 来自于、源于 (come from).
They're everywhere in economic texts and statistics.
Examples
今年的经济增长速度高于去年。
Jīnnián de jīngjì zēngzhǎng sùdù gāo yú qùnián.This year's economic growth is faster than last year's.
降低利息有助于刺激消费。
Jiàngdī lìxī yǒu zhù yú cìjī xiāofèi.Lowering interest rates helps stimulate consumption.
这家公司位于上海，属于一家外国企业。
Zhè jiā gōngsī wèiyú Shànghǎi, shǔyú yì jiā wàiguó qǐyè.This company is based in Shanghai and belongs to a foreign firm.
Common mistakes
✗ 比去年高于 → either ✓ 比去年高 or ✓ 高于去年 (don't combine 比 and 于).
✗ 有助于了 is wrong.
✗ 位于在上海 → ✓ 位于上海 (于 already = 在).