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HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 7 min read

将, 由, 叫 and 让 for the Doer and the Receiver

Use 将 as a formal 把, 由 to say who is in charge of a task, and 叫 or 让 as spoken passives like 被.

Pattern

subject + 将 + object + verb + extra (= 把); task + 由 + person + verb; receiver + 叫/让 + doer + verb + extra (= 被)

叫 and 让 work like 被 in speech, but the doer must always follow them: 让人拿走了, never 让拿走了.

这次活动由王老师负责。

When to use 将, 由, 叫 and 让 for the Doer and the Receiver

These prepositions show who does an action and who receives it. 将 is the formal version of 把: it brings the object before the verb, and the verb needs something after it (a result, a place or 了): 请将作业放在桌子上. 由 introduces the person in charge of doing something: 这件事由我负责. 叫 and 让 are spoken versions of 被 for the passive, but unlike 被 they must always be followed by the doer: 蛋糕叫弟弟吃了.

请将作业放在桌子上。

Please put your homework on the desk.

我的蛋糕叫弟弟吃了。

My cake got eaten by my little brother.

杯子让小猫打破了。

The cup was broken by the kitten.

请将下面的句子翻译成中文。

Translate the following sentences into Chinese.

Common traps

  • 叫 and 让 need the doer: 我的手机让人拿走了, not 我的手机让拿走了. Only 被 can drop it: 手机被拿走了.
  • Don’t end a 将 sentence with a bare verb: 请将门关上, not 请将门关.
  • Use 由, not 被, for who handles a task: 这件事由我负责, not 这件事被我负责.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

请 书放在桌子上

Please put the book on the table
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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