Difference between revisions of "Causative verbs"
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* 请 (qǐng) | * 请 (qǐng) | ||
* 使 (shǐ) | * 使 (shǐ) | ||
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== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + | + | Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + Predicate |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | or | + | The [[predicate]] part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective. |
| − | + | Make sure to take note of the different meanings and levels of formality. For example, 使 (shǐ) and 让 (ràng) when used as causative verbs basically mean the same thing (to make) but 使 (shǐ) is used in more formal or written Chinese while 让 (ràng) is used more in spoken Chinese. | |
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| − | |||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
Revision as of 06:29, 21 December 2017
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Keywords
Causative verbs are verbs that cause people to do things. In English, these are verbs like "make," "have" and "get," as in "get Billy to eat dinner." The "get" is the causative verb.
The most common causative verbs in Chinese are:
- 让 (ràng)
- 叫 (jiào)
- 请 (qǐng)
- 使 (shǐ)
Structure
Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + Predicate
The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Make sure to take note of the different meanings and levels of formality. For example, 使 (shǐ) and 让 (ràng) when used as causative verbs basically mean the same thing (to make) but 使 (shǐ) is used in more formal or written Chinese while 让 (ràng) is used more in spoken Chinese.
Examples
- 你 为什么 不 让 我 去 ？Why wouldn't you let me go there?
- 这 部 电影 让 人 很 感动 。This movie really moves people.
- 那个 老人 让 我 想到 了 我 爷爷 。That old man makes me think about my grandpa.
- 他 就是 不 听话 ，你 叫 我 怎么办 ？He just wouldn't listen to me. What are you expecting me to do?
- 他 偷偷 约 别的 女生 吃饭 ，你 叫 我 怎么 想 ？He secretly asked other girls out for dinner. What do you expect me to think?
- 我 想 请 你 帮 我 一 个 忙 。I want to ask you to do me a favor.
- 能 不 能 请 你 明天 照顾 一下 我 的 狗 ？Can I ask you to look after my dog tomorrow?
- 老板 决定 请 你 当 主持人 。The boss decided to ask you to be the host.
- 你 的 态度 使 老板 很 失望 。Your attitude really disappointed the boss.
- 这 件 事 使 我 学到 了 很 多 。This piece of matter makes me learn a lot.
See also
Sources and further reading
Videos
- Yoyo Chinese: The word "rang"
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 170-2) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 120-1) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 19) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
