使 (shǐ) is a formal causative verb in Mandarin that means "to cause" or "to make" someone feel or do something. You place it between a cause — a thing, event, or situation — and its effect on a person.
The structure is Subject + 使 + Person + Verb/Adjective. A clear example:
这个消息使我很高兴 (zhège xiāoxi shǐ wǒ hěn gāoxìng) — "This news made me very happy."
Here, 这个消息 (this news) is the cause, 使 connects it to the person affected (我, "me"), and 很高兴 (very happy) is the result. 使 is more formal and written-sounding than 让 (ràng), which covers the same meaning in casual speech. Use 使 when you want polished language — perfect for speeches, heartfelt messages, and expressing the impact of events.
This is a live conversation lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time, not by typing. The lesson targets this one grammar pattern and takes roughly 10 minutes. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level. You'll practice describing what made someone feel a certain way using 使, building sentences that sound natural in formal contexts.
You can try the first lesson free. To reinforce what you learn, you can also print handwriting worksheets with the free printable Chinese worksheet generator (ready-made packs cover HSK 1–3 words).
Ready for more? Browse the full HSK 3 lessons hub page, or try another HSK 3 live lesson on Expressing Escalation with 越...越 (yuè...yuè) or another HSK 3 live lesson on Instant Reactions with 一...就 (yì...jiù).
使 (shǐ) is a formal causative verb meaning "to cause" or "to make." You use it in the structure Subject + 使 + Person + Verb/Adjective to describe what made someone feel or do something. For example, 这个消息使我很高兴 (zhège xiāoxi shǐ wǒ hěn gāoxìng) means "This news made me very happy." It is more formal and written-sounding than 让 (ràng).
使 (shǐ) — Formal Causative: Cause / Make — is the polished, formal alternative to 让 (ràng). Use 使 in speeches, heartfelt messages, and any context where you want to sound refined. Both express the same "made someone do or feel something" meaning, but 使 carries a more elevated register suited to Formal Cause and Effect statements.
You'll talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin, practicing sentences that use 使 to describe what made someone feel a certain way. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in real time and adapts to your level. The lesson focuses on this single HSK 3 grammar pattern and takes about 10 minutes.
Yes — you can try the first live conversation lesson free. You'll speak with Mei Lin in real time and practice the Formal Cause and Effect pattern. To reinforce your learning, you can also print handwriting worksheets with the free Chinese Worksheet Generator.