让／叫你 X 你就 X
just do as you’re told
Structure
让／叫 + 你 + 动词 + 你就 + 动词
What it means
“Just do as you’re told”: the same verb comes twice, once in the order and once for doing it. It sounds firm or impatient.
How it is built
让／叫 + 你 + verb + 你就 + the same verb: 叫你回家你就回家 (when I tell you to go home, go home). For “don’t”, put 别 before both verbs: 让你别抽你就别抽.
When to use it
This is how a parent, doctor or close friend talks when patience runs short. It is often followed by 别问了 or a reason: 让你休息你就休息，工作明天再做.
Watch out
Too blunt for your boss or a stranger. Use the same verb both times, and with “don’t” keep 别 in both halves: ✗ 让你别抽你就不抽。 ✓ 让你别抽你就别抽。
Examples
叫你回家你就回家，别问了。
When I tell you to go home, go home. No questions.
让你休息你就休息，工作明天再做。
When you’re told to rest, rest. The work can wait till tomorrow.
医生让你别抽你就别抽。
When the doctor tells you not to smoke, don’t smoke.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 10: 别再抽烟了 (Giving up smoking)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →