让 (ràng) — let, make, allow

让 (ràng)

A pivotal verb used in the pattern 让 + person + verb, meaning "let someone do" or "make someone do." It can express permission, request, or causation. In informal speech it also functions as a passive marker meaning "by."

Meanings

1. [verb] To let, to allow (someone to do something).
2. [verb] To make, to cause (someone to do or feel something).
3. [verb] To yield, to give way to someone.

Example Sentences

让我来帮你吧。 Ràng wǒ lái bāng nǐ ba. Let me help you.

老师让我们做作业。 Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen zuò zuòyè. The teacher asked us to do the homework.

别让他等太久。 Bié ràng tā děng tài jiǔ. Don't make him wait too long.

你让一让，我过去。 Nǐ ràng yi ràng, wǒ guòqù. Please make way. I need to pass.

Collocations

Memory Hook

Picture someone stepping aside and waving you through: that gesture of yielding is 让.