Meaning
让 is a highly versatile verb that primarily means 'to let' or 'to allow.' It can express permission, causation (making someone do something), or yielding/giving way to others. This word is fundamental in Chinese grammar and appears in many everyday constructions.
Usage
让 is extremely common in daily speech. It often appears in causative constructions like '让他去' (let him go) or passive constructions like '让人感动' (moving to people). When expressing yielding or giving way, it's used in contexts like giving up a seat or allowing someone to go first. The tone is neutral and appropriate for all registers.
Examples
- 01请让我帮你吧。.Please let me help you.
- 02这部电影让我很感动。.This movie really moved me.
Common collocations
- 让座to give up one's seat
- 让路to make way, to give way
- 让步to make a concession, to yield
- 让...做...to let/make someone do
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 讓 contains the speech radical 言, suggesting communication or verbal permission. The simplified form 让 reduces the complexity while maintaining the core meaning.