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VerbsHSK 4

Causative verbs

Use causative verbs like 让 (ràng), 叫 (jiào), 请 (qǐng), and 使 (shǐ) in the pattern 'Subj. + Verb + Person + Predicate' to express making or letting someone do something. The predicate can be a verb or an adjective. In speaking, 让 is most common, while 使 is formal; 叫 often implies telling, and 请 is a polite request.

Structure

Subj. + Causative Verb (让 / 叫 / 请 / 使) + Person + Predicate
Predicate can be a verb or adjective. 使 is formal/written; 让 is more spoken.

Examples

  • 你为什么不让我去？
    Nǐ wèi shén me bú ràng wǒ qù?
    Why won't you let me go?
  • 那个老人让我想到了我爷爷。
    Nà ge lǎo rén ràng wǒ xiǎng dào le wǒ yé ye.
    That old man made me think of my grandpa.
  • 你儿子在学校的表现叫老师很头疼。
    Nǐ ér zi zài xué xiào de biǎo xiàn jiào lǎo shī hěn tóu téng.
    Your son's behavior at school gives the teacher quite a headache.
  • 我想请你帮我一个忙。
    Wǒ xiǎng qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ yí gè máng.
    I want to ask you to do me a favor.
  • 他的演讲使听众们非常激动。
    Tā de yǎn jiǎng shǐ tīng zhòng men fēi cháng jī dòng.
    His speech made the audience very excited.

Words that use this