Verb + Double Objects

• Formation: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object (person) + Direct Object (thing)

Meaning

Certain Chinese verbs can take two objects: an indirect object (usually a person) and a direct object (usually a thing). The indirect object comes first, followed by the direct object, with no preposition needed.

In Chinese, some verbs naturally take two objects in the order Verb + Person + Thing, without needing a preposition like 'to' or 'for.' Common double-object verbs include 教 (teach), 告诉 (tell), 送 (give as a gift), 还 (return), 问 (ask), and 给 (give). For example, 老师教我们中文 means 'the teacher teaches us Chinese' — 我们 is the indirect object and 中文 is the direct object. Not all verbs can take double objects — this is a specific property of certain verbs. A common mistake is using this pattern with verbs that do not support it, or reversing the order of the two objects.

Examples

1. 她教我做中国菜。 She teaches me how to cook Chinese food.
2. 朋友送了我一本书。 A friend gave me a book as a gift.
3. 你能告诉我你的电话号码吗？ Can you tell me your phone number?

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 请你告诉我开会的时间。
• 她每年都送妈妈一束花。
• 他问了我一个很难的问题。

Don't Say

• 她教中文我们。(The indirect object (person) must come before the direct object (thing) — say 她教我们中文) → 她教我们中文。
• 我送了一个礼物她。(The person receiving comes before the thing — say 我送了她一个礼物) → 我送了她一个礼物。

Origin & History

The double-object construction has existed in Chinese since classical times, where verbs of giving, telling, and teaching naturally took two objects. This structure reflects a direct, efficient way to express the transfer of something from one party to another.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal