Causative verbs
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
Causative verbs are verbs that cause people to do things, surprisingly enough. 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
- 叫
- 使
- 请
Make sure to take note of the different meanings and levels of formality. For example, 使 and 让 when used as causative verbs basically mean the same thing (to make) but 使 is used in more formal or written Chinese while 让 is used more in spoken Chinese.
Structure
Subject + Causative verb + Noun + Verb + Object
Examples
- 他 让 儿子 看 书。He made his son read the book.
- 这 部 电影 让 人 很 感动。This movie really moved people.
- 她 退学 的 事情 使 她 父母 非常 失望。Dropping out of school really disappointed her parents.
- 就 这么 点儿 工资！ 你 叫 我 怎么 活？My salary is so small! How do you expect me to live?
- 我 请 他 过来 帮 我 修 电脑。I asked him to come and help me fix the computer.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 170-2) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 120-1) →buy
