Ditransitive Sentences (双宾语句)
双宾语句
Give, tell, teach — verbs that take TWO objects in a row
双宾语句 (ditransitive sentences) take TWO objects in a row: first the recipient (a person), then the thing. The HSK 1 verbs in this slot are 给 (give), 教 (teach), 告诉 (tell), 问 (ask), 送 (send / give as gift).
No preposition sits between the two objects — Chinese puts them back-to-back. The recipient (a PERSON) always comes first; the thing / message comes second.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Ditransitive Sentences (双宾语句) (双宾语句)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 双宾语句 pattern
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Understanding 双宾语句
In English we say "give the teacher a book" or "give a book TO the teacher" — two word orders are possible. Chinese only allows one: Verb + Person + Thing. The recipient (a person) sits directly after the verb, then the thing follows. No "to" or "for" sneaks between them. The 大纲 lists this as 双宾语句1 at level 1, anchored by five everyday verbs: 给 (give), 教 (teach), 告诉 (tell), 问 (ask), and 送 (gift/send). Once the pattern clicks, an entire family of "I gave him the book / told her the news / asked you a question" sentences becomes second nature.
Key Points
- Pattern: Subject + V + Recipient(person) + Thing/Info.
- Person ALWAYS comes BEFORE the thing — never the other way around.
- HSK 1 ditransitive verbs: 给 (give), 教 (teach), 告诉 (tell), 问 (ask), 送 (give as gift).
- No prep word sits between the two objects — pure juxtaposition.
- Negate with 不 (general) or 没 (past) BEFORE the verb: 我没告诉他.
- Aspect 了 / 过 attach to the verb directly: 我给了她一本书.
- "Thing" can be a noun phrase (一本书) OR a clause (这件事 = "this matter").
- Compare with 把 / 对 patterns later — at HSK 1, the bare double-object pattern is enough.
送 (sòng) carries a specifically GIFT-GIVING flavour: 我送你一本书 (I'll gift you a book) is warmer than 我给你一本书 (I'll give you a book). Both are correct; 送 just signals more thoughtfulness — useful at birthdays, festivals, and visits.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我给你一本书。
I'll give you a book.
V + person + thing.
老师教我们汉语。
The teacher teaches us Chinese.
我告诉他这件事。
I told him this matter.
请问您一个问题。
May I ask you a question?
他送我一个生日礼物。
He gave me a birthday present.
妈妈给了我一杯茶。
Mom gave me a cup of tea.
Aspect 了 attaches directly after the verb.
我没告诉他我的名字。
I didn't tell him my name.
Negation 没 sits before the verb.
你教我中文，我教你英文。
You teach me Chinese, I teach you English.
老师问学生很多问题。
The teacher asked the students many questions.
请你告诉我你的电话号码。
Please tell me your phone number.
Common Mistakes
In a 双宾语句, the PERSON comes first and the THING comes second. Never reverse the two.
Don't double up with 给. 告诉 already takes two objects directly — no preposition needed.
The 给 + person construction at the end is a different (more advanced) pattern. At HSK 1, stick with V + person + thing.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Five HSK 1 verbs unlock this pattern: 给, 教, 告诉, 问, 送. Memorise them as a unit.
Mental order: WHO first, then WHAT. Person → Thing, every time.
No preposition between the two objects — drop any temptation to insert 给 or 对.
送 vs 给: same grammar, different warmth. 送 = gifted with thought; 给 = handed over.
Homework
Write five 双宾语句 using each of the five HSK 1 ditransitive verbs (给, 教, 告诉, 问, 送) exactly once. Then add 了 to two of them to mark completion, and negate one with 没.