elementaryA2 · TOCFL a2word ordersentence pattern
叫
Pattern
Subject + 叫 + person + verb phrase
Key words
Core idea
叫 can introduce the person who is told or asked to do something.
The pattern is:
叫 + person + verb phraseUsage boundary
This pattern reports an instruction. It does not have to sound harsh; it can mean “tell,” “ask,” or “call on someone to.”
Compare with letting
让 can mean let, have, or make. 叫 focuses more directly on giving an instruction.
Examples
老师叫我们写作业。
Lǎoshī jiào wǒmen xiě zuòyè.
The teacher told us to do homework.
妈妈叫我早点回家。
Māma jiào wǒ zǎo diǎn huí jiā.
Mom told me to come home earlier.
请叫他进来。
Qǐng jiào tā jìnlái.
Please ask him to come in.
Common mistakes
Avoid
老师叫写我们作业。
Use
老师叫我们写作业。
After 叫, put the person first, then the action they are told to do.