Verb + Double Objects

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

含义

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.

例句

1. 她教我做中国菜。
2. 朋友送了我一本书。
3. 你能告诉我你的电话号码吗？

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: descriptive

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal