HSK 3 · VERSION 2.0#45
Causative Verbs
让 / 叫 / 请 / 使
How it works
These verbs can mean “make,” “ask,” or “cause” someone to do something.
The pattern
Subject + Causative Verb + Person + Verb
Example sentences
老师让我们读课文。
The teacher asked us to read the text.
妈妈叫我早点睡觉。
Mom told me to go to bed earlier.
这件事使我很难过。
This matter made me very sad.
Usage note
请 is often more polite, 让 / 叫 are common in daily speech, and 使 is more formal.