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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to call' or 'to name' with 叫 (jiào)

    Description & Modification
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    叫 + Object + 为 + Name

    Explanation

    The verb 叫 (jiào) can mean "to call" or "to name," used when giving something or someone a name or title. In the pattern 叫...为..., it means "to call something (as)." This usage is distinct from 叫 meaning "to shout" or its use in passive/causative constructions.

    Examples

    • 大家都叫他老王，其实他才三十岁。

      Dàjiā dōu jiào tā Lǎo Wáng, qíshí tā cái sānshí suì.

      Everyone calls him Old Wang, but he's actually only thirty years old.

    • 这种植物叫什么名字？

      Zhè zhǒng zhíwù jiào shénme míngzì?

      What is this plant called?

    • 我们把这个方法叫作"快速排序法"。

      Wǒmen bǎ zhège fāngfǎ jiàozuò "kuàisù páixù fǎ."

      We call this method "quicksort."

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'to call' or 'to name' with 叫 (jiào) | Chinese Grammar