Master the dual-role pivot structure across 3 types with interactive exercises, error correction, and quizzes.
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.
12 high-frequency 兼语句 (pivotal sentences) covering all 3 HSK 4 types: 致使 (let/make: 让/叫/请/使), 表爱憎 (like/dislike: 喜欢/讨厌), and 称谓认定 (call/consider: 叫/称为). Each example shows the pivot word doing double duty.
Lǎoshī ràng wǒ jìn lái.
"The teacher let me come in." — V₁ 让 + pivot 我 + V₂ 进来. The pivot 我 is BOTH object of 让 AND subject of 进来.
| Slot | Word | Function |
|---|---|---|
| S₁ | 老师 | The instigator |
| V₁ | 让 | Causative verb |
| Pivot (兼语) | 我 | Object of 让 + Subject of 进来 |
| V₂ | 进来 | Action performed by pivot |
Same structure: 妈妈叫我去买菜 / 朋友请我去吃饭 / 公司派他出差.
Qǐng nǐ bāng gè máng.
"Please help me." — 请 is the polite causative; pivot 你 is who you're asking.
Māma jiào wǒ xiě zuòyè.
"Mom told me to do homework." — 叫 here is causative (NOT passive). Context decides which.
Zhè jiàn shì shǐ rén gǎndòng.
"This matter is moving (touches people)." — 使 is the formal/written equivalent of 让. Common in HSK 4 reading passages.
Wǒ xǐhuan tā chàng gē.
"I like the way he sings." — 表爱憎型 pivot. The 他 is BOTH object of 喜欢 AND subject of 唱歌.
Wǒ tǎoyàn bié rén chí dào.
"I dislike when others arrive late." — 表爱憎 with negative emotion 讨厌.
Same: 我希望你成功 / 大家羡慕他工作好 / 父母担心孩子生病.
Dàjiā jiào tā lǎobǎn.
"Everyone calls him boss." — 称谓型 pivot. The 他 is BOTH object of 叫 AND assigned the identity 老板.
Same: 朋友们叫她小李 / 学生叫他王老师 / 我们叫这个游戏"狼人".
Rénmen chēng zhè běn shū wéi jīngdiǎn.
"People call this book a classic." — 称…为… is the formal pattern. 称 = call; 为 introduces what they're called.
Ràng háizi zǎo diǎnr shuì.
"Let the child sleep earlier." — common parenting/health context at HSK 4.
Gōngsī pài tā chū chāi.
"The company sent him on a business trip." — 派 is a workplace causative verb very common in HSK 4 listening.
Qiú nǐ jiàn shì.
"I have a favor to ask of you." — colloquial pivot.
Lǎoshī biǎoyáng tā rènzhēn.
"The teacher praises him for being serious." — 表扬 + pivot + adj/V₂ pattern. Pivot 他 receives praise AND is the one being serious.
Click on the pivot word — the word that serves as both the object of V₁ and the subject of V₂.
Is this 兼语句 correct or incorrect? Judge each sentence.
Review the full HSK 4 vocabulary (1000 words), common HSK 4 confusable word pairs (43), and sentence ordering exercises. For test-day reading, see all 9 HSK 4 strategy guides.