让 / 叫 / 请ràng / jiào / qǐng

Pivotal (Causative) Sentences with 让 / 叫 / 请 (ràng / jiào / qǐng)

Meaning: To make / let / tell / ask someone to do something

Pattern

In a pivotal sentence (兼语句), the object of the first verb (让, 叫, or 请) simultaneously serves as the subject of the second verb: S1 + 让/叫/请 + S2 + V2 + (O2).
Nuances of the three verbs: 让 is neutral ("to let / allow / make"), 叫 is colloquial and more direct ("to tell / order someone to do"), and 请 is polite ("to invite / ask someone to do").
Negation words (不, 没) must be placed before 让/叫/请 (e.g., 他不让我开车).
Distinguish causative 让/叫 from passive 让/叫

1
妈妈让我去买菜。
Māma ràng wǒ qù mǎi cài.
Mom told me to go buy groceries.
2
老师叫我们读课文。
Lǎoshī jiào wǒmen dú kèwén.
The teacher told us to read the text aloud.
3
我请他帮我修电脑。
Wǒ qǐng tā bāng wǒ xiū diànnǎo.
I asked him to help me fix my computer.
4
他不让我开车。

•请 is the most polite, 叫 is a direct order, and 让 is neutral; distinguish carefully from passive sentences.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Confusing causative pivotal sentences with passive sentences using 让 or 叫.

•Placing the negation word after S2 instead of before 让/叫/请 when negating permission or request.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 4 to master all skills together.