叫 (causative)
HSK 3- Causative
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Use 叫 to express ordering, requesting, or causing someone to do something.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
In this structure, 叫 (jiào) means "to tell," "to ask," or "to cause/make." It emphasizes that subject 1 brings about an action from subject 2, often carrying the nuance of an order or request.
This structure is very common in spoken language to convey commands (Mom told me to go to the market) or to describe a cause-and-effect relationship (This made me worried).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 妈妈叫我去买菜。繁: 媽媽叫我去買菜。Māma jiào wǒ qù mǎi cài.
Mom told me to go buy vegetables.
- 老师叫他回答问题。繁: 老師叫他回答問題。Lǎoshī jiào tā huídá wèntí.
The teacher called on him to answer the question.
- 老板叫我来办公室。繁: 老闆叫我來辦公室。Lǎobǎn jiào wǒ lái bàngōngshì.
The boss told me to come to the office.
- 这件事真叫人生气。繁: 這件事真叫人生氣。Zhè jiàn shì zhēn jiào rén shēngqì.
This matter really makes people angry.
- 你别叫我担心。繁: 你別叫我擔心。Nǐ bié jiào wǒ dānxīn.
Don't make me worry.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:老师叫回答问题。Correct:老师叫我回答问题。
After 叫, there must be a specific object (我, 他, etc.) that performs the action; it cannot be omitted as in Vietnamese.
- Wrong:他叫我去商店买东西。Correct:他让我去商店买东西。
When a request is polite and deferential rather than a command, 让 (ràng) sounds more natural than 叫 (jiào).