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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to make or cause' with 令 (lìng)

    Causation

    Structure

    令 + Person + Adjective

    Explanation

    The verb 令 (lìng) means "to make" or "to cause" and is used in formal or written Chinese to express causation. It is often followed by 人 and an adjective to describe the effect on people. For example, 令人意外 means "surprising" (literally "causing people to be surprised").

    Examples

    • 这部电影的结局令人感动。

      Zhè bù diànyǐng de jiéjú lìng rén gǎndòng.

      The ending of this movie is touching.

    • 他的进步速度令所有老师都很惊讶。

      Tā de jìnbù sùdù lìng suǒyǒu lǎoshī dōu hěn jīngyà.

      His rate of progress surprised all the teachers.

    • 这个消息令人非常振奋。

      Zhège xiāoxi lìng rén fēicháng zhènfèn.

      This news is very encouraging.

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    Expressing 'to make or cause' with 令 (lìng) | Chinese Grammar