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)
  • 使 (shǐ)
  • 请 (qǐng)

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

  • 老师 让 我们 去 图书馆 借书 。Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen qù túshū guǎn jiè shū.The teacher let us to go to the library and borrow books.
  • 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 他 帮 我 修 一下 电脑 。Wǒ xiǎng qǐng tā bāng wǒ xiū yīxià diànnǎo.I want to ask him to help me fix the computer.
  • 她 请 了 一 个 阿姨 来 照顾 宝宝 。 .
  • 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 。.

See also

Sources and further reading

Videos

Books


Retrieved from "https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Causative_verbs&oldid=36231"