使得

• Pinyin: shǐ de
• Hanzi breakdown: 使 = 亻(person) + 吏 (official); 得 = 彳(step) + 旦 + 寸 (inch)

Meaning

To make; to cause; to enable (something to happen).

A formal causative verb used to express that one thing causes another result. Similar to 使 but slightly more colloquial. Often used in written Chinese and formal speech. The result clause follows directly after 使得. Common in explanations and analysis.

Examples

1. 这场大雨使得航班延误了三个小时。 This heavy rain caused the flight to be delayed by three hours.
2. 新政策使得更多人能够买得起房子。 The new policy enables more people to afford housing.
3. 他的努力使得项目提前完成了。 His hard work enabled the project to be completed ahead of schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: written, news, analysis

Tone: explanatory

Do Say

• 这使得情况更加复杂。(This made the situation more complicated.)
• 技术进步使得生活更方便。(Technological progress makes life more convenient.)

Don't Say

• 使得他去商店 — 使得 needs a result clause, not just an action; say 让他去商店

Origin & History

Compound of 使 (to make/cause) + 得 (to obtain/result complement marker), emphasizing the result achieved.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal