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.

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

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.
这部电影很让人很感动。Zhè bù diànyǐng hěn ràng rén hěn gǎndòng.This movie really moves people.
她退学的事情使她父母非常失望。Tā tuìxué de shìqing shǐ tā fùmǔ fēicháng shīwàng.Dropping out of school really disappointed her parents.
这件事情的解决使他最近轻松了很多。Zhè jiàn shìqing de jiějué shǐ tā zuìjìn qīngsōng le hěn duō.The solution to this problem has made him feel more relaxed these days.
就这么点儿工资！你叫我怎么活？Jiù zhème diǎn er gōngzī! Nǐ jiào wǒ zěnme huó?Only this little salary! How do you expect me to live?
你叫我到哪儿去给你弄这么多钱？Nǐ jiào wǒ dào nǎr qù gěi nǐ nòng zhème duō qián?Where do you expect me to go get you such a large sum of money?
我请他过来帮我修电脑。Wǒ qǐng tā guòlái bāng wǒ xiū diànnǎo.I asked him to come and help me fix the computer.
为了去舞会，她请了一位化妆师来帮她化妆。Wèi le qù wǔhuì, tā qǐng le yī wèi huàzhuāng shī lái bāng tā huàzhuāng. In preparation for the ball, she invited a makeup artist to help her put on makeup.

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Videos

Books