HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#45
Causative Verbs
让 / 叫 / 请 / 使
How it works
These verbs are used when one person causes, asks, allows, or makes another person do something.
让 (ràng) = let / make
叫 (jiào) = tell / ask
请 (qǐng) = ask politely / invite
使 (shǐ) = cause / make (more formal)
The pattern
Subject + Causative Verb + Person + Verb
Example sentences
老师让我们再读一遍。
The teacher asked us to read it once more.
妈妈叫我早点回家。
Mom told me to come home earlier.
这件事使大家都很失望。
This matter made everyone very disappointed.
Key point
These words are similar, but the tone is different:
请 (qǐng) is often polite
让 (ràng) is common and flexible
叫 (jiào) often sounds like direct instruction
使 (shǐ) is more formal and written