HSK 4
兼语句2
jiān yǔ jù 2
Pivotal sentence 2 (Expressing praise/criticism and naming/addressing)
Explanation
This is a pivotal sentence (兼语句 jiān yǔ jù): the sentence contains a word that "doubles" in two roles — it is both the object (the target affected by the action) of the first verb and the subject (the one performing) of the second verb. This Type 2 covers two meaning groups: praise/criticism and naming/recognition.
subject + verb 1 + [pivot] + verb 2 ... — where the [pivot] both receives the action of verb 1 and performs action 2. The praise/criticism group uses verb 1 such as 表扬 (biǎo yáng, to praise), 批评 (pī píng, to criticize): 老师表扬他帮助同学 (the teacher praises [him] [he] helps classmates). The naming/recognition group uses 称 (chēng, to call), 说 (shuō, to say/regard as), 收 (shōu, to accept), 选 (xuǎn, to elect), often accompanied by 为/做/当 (to be, to make): 选他当班长 (elect [him] [he] to be class monitor).
when someone praises/criticizes another for an action (group 1), or when calling, recognizing, or appointing someone to a title/role (group 2).
为 in 称…为 / 选…为 is read wéi (meaning "to be, to make, to regard as"), DIFFERENT from 为 read wèi meaning "for, because of" (为了 wèi le, 为你好 wèi nǐ hǎo).
inserting a repeated subject before verb 2 (*老师表扬他他帮助同学 — wrong), because the pivot already doubles as the subject role. Also, don't confuse 为 (wéi) in this pattern with 为 (wèi) "for".
Examples
The teacher praises him for helping his classmates.
Mom is always criticizing me for not tidying my room.
Everyone calls him "Mister".
The teachers all say she is a good student.
Professor Wang has accepted me as a graduate student.
The classmates all elected him to be class monitor.
Practice
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Learn “兼语句2” effectively
The grammar point “兼语句2” (Pivotal sentence 2 (Expressing praise/criticism and naming/addressing)) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. 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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