Causative verbs are used to cause or influence people to do things. In English, these are verbs like "make," "let," "have," and "get," when used in a sentence like "get Billy to eat a live worm."
The most common causative verbs in Chinese are:
让 (ràng)
叫 (jiào)
请 (qǐng)
使 (shǐ)
Structure: Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + Predicate
The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
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.
Examples
你 为什么 不 让 我 去 ?
Nǐ wèishénme bù ràng wǒ qù?Why won't you let me go?
这 部 电影 让 人 很 感动 。
Zhè bù diànyǐng ràng rén hěn gǎndòng.This movie really moves people.
那个 老人 让 我 想到 了 我 爷爷 。
Nàge lǎorén ràng wǒ xiǎng dào le wǒ yéye.That old man made me think of my grandpa.
(more)The most common causative verbs in Chinese are:
让 (ràng)
叫 (jiào)
请 (qǐng)
使 (shǐ)
Structure: Subj. + [Causative Verb] + Person + Predicate
The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
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.
Examples
你 为什么 不 让 我 去 ?
Nǐ wèishénme bù ràng wǒ qù?Why won't you let me go?
这 部 电影 让 人 很 感动 。
Zhè bù diànyǐng ràng rén hěn gǎndòng.This movie really moves people.
那个 老人 让 我 想到 了 我 爷爷 。
Nàge lǎorén ràng wǒ xiǎng dào le wǒ yéye.That old man made me think of my grandpa.