HSK 4 Grammar
兼语句 — Pivotal Sentences
Master the dual-role pivot structure across 3 types with interactive exercises, error correction, and quizzes.
3
Types
Dual-Role
Structure
30+
Exercises
What is a 兼语句? / 什么是兼语句
In a 兼语句 (jiān yǔ jù) — pivotal sentence — one noun serves both as the object of the first verb and the subject of the second verb. This word is called the "pivot" (兼语) because it has a dual grammatical role.
Unlike simple sentences where subject and object are distinct, the pivotal construction chains two predicate phrases together through a shared noun. The first verb typically expresses a request, command, feeling, or identification, while the second verb describes what the pivot person does or is.
This pattern is extremely common in everyday Chinese and is a key grammar point at HSK 4.
Sentence Anatomy / 句子解剖
老师
让
我们
讨论
这个问题
Subject₁ 主语
Verb₁ 动词₁
PIVOT 兼语
Verb₂ 动词₂
Object₂ 宾语₂
Subject₁ + Verb₁ + PIVOT + Verb₂ + (Object₂)
The PIVOT word (我们) is simultaneously the object of 让 and the subject of 讨论 — it carries two roles at once!
Three Types of 兼语句 / 兼语句三种类型
Type 1
表爱憎 — Expressing Feelings / Attitudes
S₁ + 喜欢/讨厌/... + Pivot + V₂
我喜欢他唱歌。
Wǒ xǐhuān tā chànggē.
I like him singing. / I like that he sings.
大家讨厌他迟到。
Dàjiā tǎoyàn tā chídào.
Everyone hates it when he is late.
老板喜欢她努力工作。
Lǎobǎn xǐhuān tā nǔlì gōngzuò.
The boss likes that she works hard.
✗ 我喜欢他的唱歌。
✓ 我喜欢他唱歌。
In a pivotal sentence, the pivot directly precedes V₂ without 的. Adding 的 turns it into a possessive structure (his singing), not a pivotal sentence.
Type 2
称谓认定 — Calling / Identifying
S₁ + 叫/称/认为 + Pivot + Complement
大家叫他小王。
Dàjiā jiào tā Xiǎo Wáng.
Everyone calls him Xiao Wang.
我们认为他很聪明。
Wǒmen rènwéi tā hěn cōngmíng.
We consider him (to be) very smart.
同学们选她当班长。
Tóngxuémen xuǎn tā dāng bānzhǎng.
The classmates elected her as class monitor.
Type 3
致使 — Causative (most common at HSK4)
S₁ + 让/叫/请/使 + Pivot + V₂
老师让我们讨论这个问题。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen tǎolùn zhège wèntí.
The teacher asked us to discuss this problem.
这件事使他很难过。
Zhè jiàn shì shǐ tā hěn nánguò.
This matter made him very sad.
请你帮我一个忙。
Qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ yī ge máng.
Please do me a favor.
妈妈叫我去买菜。
Māma jiào wǒ qù mǎi cài.
Mom told me to go buy groceries.
✗ 老师让讨论这个问题。
✓ 老师让我们讨论这个问题。
The pivot word cannot be omitted. Even if the context makes it clear, the causative verb (让/叫/请/使) must be followed by its pivot (the person being caused to act).
Distinguish causative vs. passive: 妈妈让我去买菜 (causative: Mom asked me) vs. 我的手机让他拿走了 (passive: My phone was taken by him). In causative sentences, the subject is the causer; in passive sentences, the subject is the patient.
Pivot Identifier / 找兼语练习
Click on the pivot word — the word that serves as both the object of V₁ and the subject of V₂.
Error Spotting / 纠错练习
Is this 兼语句 correct or incorrect? Judge each sentence.
Comprehensive Quiz / 综合测试 (12 questions)
老师我们讨论这个问题。
让 is a causative verb that creates a pivotal sentence: 老师让我们讨论 = The teacher asked us to discuss. 把 requires a different structure; 被 expresses passive voice.
Which word is the PIVOT in: 妈妈请他帮忙？
他 is the pivot: it is the object of 请 (Mom invited him) and simultaneously the subject of 帮忙 (he helps). This dual role is what defines the pivot.
这件事他很难过。
使 is a formal causative verb: 这件事使他很难过 = This matter made him very sad. 使 is more literary and often used with emotional results.
Which sentence is a 兼语句 (pivotal sentence)?
老板请他吃饭 is a pivotal sentence: 他 is the object of 请 (the boss invites him) and the subject of 吃饭 (he eats). The other sentences use different structures (SVO, 把字句, 被动句).
Which type of 兼语句 is "大家叫他小王"?
叫他小王 = call him Xiao Wang. The verb 叫 here means "to call/name," making this a 称谓认定 type. Note: 叫 can also mean "to tell/ask" (causative) depending on context.
Is "我的手机让他拿走了" a causative pivotal sentence?
This is passive, not causative. The subject (我的手机) is the patient of the action: "My phone was taken away by him." In causative sentences, the subject is the causer, not the receiver of the action.
同学们她当班长。
选她当班长 = elected her as class monitor. 选 creates a 称谓认定-type pivotal sentence where 她 is the pivot (object of 选, subject of 当).
爸爸不我晚上出去。
不让我出去 = doesn't let me go out. The negation 不 goes before V₁ (让), not before V₂. This is a causative pivotal sentence with negation.
Which sentence has an error?
The pivot word cannot be omitted. 老师让讨论 is missing the pivot (who is asked to discuss?). Correct: 老师让我们讨论这个问题。
我他的唱歌。
In a pivotal sentence, the pivot directly precedes V₂: 我喜欢他唱歌 (not 他的唱歌). Adding 的 creates a noun phrase meaning "his singing," which changes the structure entirely.
请你。
请你帮我一个忙 is a complete pivotal sentence. 你 is the pivot: object of 请 and subject of 帮. The other options create ungrammatical constructions.
How many pivot words can a 兼语句 have?
A 兼语句 has exactly one pivot word — the noun/pronoun that serves as both Object₁ and Subject₂. The verbs and other nouns have single roles.
Related / 相关内容