HSK 3
兼语句1
jiān yǔ jù 1
Pivotal sentence (type 1)
Explanation
A pivotal sentence is a sentence type in which one element simultaneously plays two roles: it is both the object (the target of the action) of the preceding verb and the subject (the doer) of the following verb. Type 1 here expresses causing/requesting (使令 - to order/direct).
Subject + 叫/派/请/让 jiào/pài/qǐng/ràng + object 1 (person) + verb 2 + object 2. For example: 经理(subject) 叫 他(object 1, also subject of 介绍) 介绍 中国市场情况(object 2).
use it when one person makes/asks/invites/dispatches another person to do something. 叫 jiào (tell, order) and 让 ràng (let, tell) are colloquial and familiar; 请 qǐng (invite) is polite; 派 pài (dispatch, assign) is work-related, a superior assigning a subordinate.
Vietnamese learners often put 了 or an adverb in the wrong spot between verb 1 and object 1, or forget object 1 (the person being directed). There must always be a "person" standing between the two verbs; you cannot say 经理叫介绍情况 (missing 他).
Object 1 is precisely the person who performs the second verb - this is the key point of the pivotal sentence.
Examples
(1) Expressing directive: Subject + 叫/派/请/让 (tell/dispatch/invite/let) + object 1 + verb + object 2
The manager asked him to give an introduction to the Chinese market situation.
The company sent me to China to study Chinese.
I invited him to come to my house to hang out.
Mom told me to return to my home country a bit earlier.
Practice
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Learn “兼语句1” effectively
The grammar point “兼语句1” (Pivotal sentence (type 1)) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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