Keywords: ràng, 让, let, allow, make, Chinese grammar, Chinese verb, causative verb, passive voice in Chinese, HSK 2, learn Chinese, what does rang mean, how to use rang in Chinese, yield, give way.
Summary: “让” (ràng) is one of the most versatile and essential verbs in Mandarin Chinese. For beginners, it's crucial to understand that it means more than just “to let” or “to allow.” It's a powerful causative verb used to express “to make” someone do something or feel a certain way. Furthermore, “让” is used to mean “to yield” or “give way,” reflecting important cultural values, and can even function to create a passive-like sentence structure. Mastering “让” (ràng) is a key step to sounding more natural in everyday Chinese conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): ràng
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: A versatile verb used to express permission (to let), causation (to make/cause), or yielding (to give way).
In a Nutshell: Think of “让” (ràng) as the “influence” verb. It's used whenever one person, thing, or situation influences another to do something, feel something, or change their state. If you want to say your mom lets you go out, the news makes you sad, or you need to ask someone to let you pass, “让” is the word you need. It's all about cause and effect.
Character Breakdown
让 (ràng): This character is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.
讠(yán): This is the “speech” radical, derived from the character 言 (yán). It indicates that the character's meaning is related to words, speaking, or communication.
上-like component: The right side is a simplification of the character 襄 (xiāng), which originally meant “to help” and provided the sound.
In essence, the character combines “speech” with an action of yielding or transferring. You can think of it as “using words (or actions) to allow or cause something to happen.”
Cultural Context and Significance
“让” (ràng) is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, particularly through the concept of 谦让 (qiānràng) - modesty and yielding. While Western cultures often emphasize assertiveness and “standing your ground,” traditional Chinese values often prioritize group harmony and respect over individual needs.
A classic example is yielding in a minor conflict. Instead of arguing over who was first, it's common and virtuous to “让” the other person go ahead. This is not seen as weakness but as a sign of magnanimity and social grace. This contrasts with the Western idea of “fighting for your rights” in a similar situation.
This concept is taught from childhood, famously through the story of 孔融让梨 (Kǒng Róng ràng lí) - “Kong Rong gives up the bigger pear.” In the story, a young boy named Kong Rong chooses the smallest pear for himself, letting his older and younger brothers have the larger ones, demonstrating respect for elders and care for the young. This act of “让” is a cornerstone of moral education.
Practical Usage in Modern China
“让” is incredibly common in daily life. Its meaning shifts based on context.
1. To Let / To Allow (Permission): This is the most direct translation.
`妈妈不让我吃冰淇淋。` (Māma bù ràng wǒ chī bīngqílín.) - Mom doesn't let me eat ice cream.
2. To Make / To Cause (Causative): This is a crucial function. It's used to express that someone or something causes a change in emotion or action in someone else.
`这个电影让我很感动。` (Zhège diànyǐng ràng wǒ hěn gǎndòng.) - This movie made me very moved.
`老板让我今天加班。` (Lǎobǎn ràng wǒ jīntiān jiābān.) - The boss is making me work overtime today.
3. To Yield / To Give Way: This can be physical or metaphorical.
`请让一下，谢谢。` (Qǐng ràng yīxià, xièxiè.) - Please make way for a moment, thanks. (Used in crowds)
`在这件事上，我愿意让步。` (Zài zhè jiàn shì shàng, wǒ yuànyì ràngbù.) - On this matter, I am willing to make a concession.
4. As a Passive Marker (like 被 bèi): “让” can be used to form a passive-like sentence, often when the agent is “someone” or unknown.
`我的手机让人拿走了。` (Wǒ de shǒujī ràng rén ná zǒu le.) - My phone was taken away by someone.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
老师让我回答一个问题。
Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒ huídá yīgè wèntí.
English: The teacher had me answer a question.
Analysis: This is a classic causative use. The teacher (agent) causes the student (receiver) to perform an action (answer a question).
Example 2:
他的话让我很生气。
Pinyin: Tā de huà ràng wǒ hěn shēngqì.
English: His words made me very angry.
Analysis: Here, an inanimate thing (“his words”) causes an emotional state (“angry”) in a person.
English: This song always makes me think of my hometown.
Analysis: Demonstrates how “让” can be used for causing someone to remember or recall something.
Example 9:
你能不能把路让开？
Pinyin: Nǐ néng bù néng bǎ lù ràngkāi?
English: Can you clear the way?
Analysis: Here, “让” is part of a resultative complement “让开” (ràngkāi), meaning “to yield and make open/clear.”
Example 10:
让我们开始吧！
Pinyin: Ràng wǒmen kāishǐ ba!
English: Let's begin!
Analysis: This structure, “让 + we/us + verb,” is the standard way to say “Let's…” in Chinese.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
1. Confusing 让 (ràng) with 叫 (jiào): Both can mean “to ask/make someone do something.”
叫 (jiào) implies a direct command or order. `妈妈叫我回家吃饭。` (Mom TOLD me to come home for dinner.)
让 (ràng) is broader and can mean command, permission, or simply causing an outcome. `妈妈让我回家吃饭。` (Could be “Mom let me come home” or “Mom told me to come home.”)
Rule of thumb: If it's a direct command, 叫 is often better. For causing an emotion (`让我高兴`) or giving permission, use 让.
2. Using 让 for Physical Creation: English speakers might incorrectly translate “I make a cake” as `我让一个蛋糕`. This is wrong. 让 is a causative verb (cause someone to do/feel), not a creative verb.
Incorrect: `我让一个蛋糕。`
Correct: `我做一个蛋糕。` (Wǒ zuò yīgè dàngāo.)
3. Confusing the Passive use with 被 (bèi):
Both `我的钱包让偷了` and `我的钱包被偷了` mean “My wallet was stolen.”
被 (bèi) is the more “official” passive marker and often carries a stronger sense of misfortune or negativity. It is more common in formal writing.
让 (ràng) in this context is slightly more colloquial and often implies the agent was “someone” (人). It feels a little less “victim-focused” than 被.
Related Terms and Concepts
叫 (jiào) - A verb that can also mean to ask/tell someone to do something, but is often more direct or commanding than 让.
使 (shǐ) - A more formal, literary causative verb for “to make” or “to cause,” often used in writing.
被 (bèi) - The primary passive voice marker in Chinese, often used for negative events.
允许 (yǔnxǔ) - A formal verb meaning “to permit” or “to allow.” It is a more formal synonym for one of a 让's key meanings.
请 (qǐng) - To please, to request, to invite. Used for polite requests, sometimes in situations where one could also use 让 (e.g., `请让一下` - Please make way).
谦让 (qiānràng) - To be modest and yield. A core cultural virtue directly involving the concept of 让.
让步 (ràngbù) - To make a concession, to compromise. A specific application of “yielding.”
让座 (ràngzuò) - To give up one's seat to someone. A common, practical action embodying the spirit of 让.
转让 (zhuǎnràng) - To transfer ownership, to assign. A legal or commercial term for “yielding” control of property.