Causative verbs

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)

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.

Structure

Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

• 让 他 走 ！Make him leave!
• 这 部 电影 让 人 很 感动 。Zhè bù diànyǐng ràng rén hěn gǎndòng.This movie really moves people.
• 就 这 一点 工资 ，你 叫 我 怎么 活 ？Jiù zhè yīdiǎn gōngzī, nǐ jiào wǒ zěnme huó?Only this little salary. How do you expect me to live?
• 他 就是 不 听话 ，你 叫 我 怎么办 ？Tā jiùshì bù tīnghuà, nǐ jiào wǒ zěnmebàn?He just wouldn't listen to me. What are you expecting me to do?
• 我 想 请 你 帮 我 一 个 忙 。Wǒ xiǎng qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ yī gè máng.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?
• 她 退学 使 她 父母 非常 失望 。Tā tuìxué shǐ tā fùmǔ fēicháng shīwàng.Dropping out of school really disappointed her parents.
• 这 件 事 使 我 学到 了 很 多 。Zhè jiàn shì shǐ wǒ xuédào le hěn duō.This piece of matter makes me learn a lot.

See also

• Passive voice

Sources and further reading

Videos

• Yoyo Chinese: The word "rang"

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 170-2) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 120-1) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 19) →buy