<blockquote>
  <p>For the meaning of 'to make/ to cause',  the usage of 令 in colloquial Cantonese  cover the usage of 令(force/make), 使(cause/make) and 讓(allow/make) in Mandarin</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Example:</p>

<p>令人唔開心 (Cantonese) = 令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (Mandarin)</p>

<p><em>The difference between 令 使 and 讓 is in 'degree of emphasis'; colloquial Cantonese typically use final particles for emphasis</em> </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In literal Cantonese (SWC- Standard written Chinese) It is the same as Mandarin</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Example:</p>

<p>令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (Mandarin) = 令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (SWC)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Cantonese do not use 讓 (make/ cause) colloquially at all. However, there's a word we use in colloquial Cantonese for 'make/ cause'  that is not used by Mandarin. This word is '等', but it has to be used with a 'cause'</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Example:</p>

<p>"(等)佢熟透" = "(wait) for it to be cooked completely"</p>

<p>"加猛火(等)佢快啲熟透" = "use high heat (to make) it cooked completely faster"</p>

<p>In Mandarin, it would be "加猛火(讓)它快點熟透"</p>

<p><em>One more note: Cantonese do use the compound words 使到 and 令到 colloquially. The same as Mandarin</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-11T21:46:44.970Z
2018-10-11T22:10:52.687Z
2018-10-11T22:10:52.687Z
Tang Ho
<p>1) Is the use of 令 different in Canto vs Mandarin? </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Firstly the word 令 has multiple meanings.  I believe the usage are same for Canto vs Mandarin as long as you're referring to the same meaning of the word.   </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Is 妳這樣做令我開心 not proper Mandarin grammar?</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Instead of improper grammar, it's more of unpopular usage, like usually 讓 is used.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>2) If there is a difference, when do you use 令 and when do you use 讓?  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>For Canto it's pretty much the same,  讓 is usually used for formal written (novel / books) while 令 for oral / casual writing.  Again it does not apply to 令's other meanings.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Worth to mention that for idiom, the words are not interchangeable.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-11T21:32:53.440Z
2018-10-11T21:32:53.440Z
Alex
<p>In Cantonese, it's common to hear someone say 令 when referring to making something happen.</p>

<p>Example: 妳咁做令我開心 (You make me happy when you do this.)</p>

<p>Some friends claimed Mandarin doesn't use 令 this way and uses 讓 instead， making the equivalent sentence 妳這樣做讓我開心。</p>

<p>However, Pleco lists 令人難忘 as "creating an unforgettable impression." This suggests 令 can be used like this in Mandarin.</p>

<p>1) Is the use of 令 different in Canto vs Mandarin? Is 妳這樣做令我開心 not proper Mandarin grammar?</p>

<p>2) If there is a difference, when do you use 令 and when do you use 讓?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-11T23:13:13.837Z
it's also correct to say: 妳這樣做令我開心 in mandarin. its pretty much the same as 让 in this case.
dan
<grammar><mandarin><cantonese>
Mandarin vs. Cantonese: 令 vs 讓 for making something happen
# Mandarin vs. Cantonese: 令 vs 讓 for making something happen

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-11)

In Cantonese, it's common to hear someone say 令 when referring to making something happen.

Example: 妳咁做令我開心 (You make me happy when you do this.)

Some friends claimed Mandarin doesn't use 令 this way and uses 讓 instead， making the equivalent sentence 妳這樣做讓我開心。

However, Pleco lists 令人難忘 as "creating an unforgettable impression." This suggests 令 can be used like this in Mandarin.

1) Is the use of 令 different in Canto vs Mandarin? Is 妳這樣做令我開心 not proper Mandarin grammar?

2) If there is a difference, when do you use 令 and when do you use 讓?

**Tags:** grammar, mandarin, cantonese

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: it's also correct to say: 妳這樣做令我開心 in mandarin. its pretty much the same as 让 in this case.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-10-11. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

> For the meaning of 'to make/ to cause', the usage of 令 in colloquial Cantonese cover the usage of 令(force/make), 使(cause/make) and 讓(allow/make) in Mandarin

Example:

令人唔開心 (Cantonese) = 令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (Mandarin)

*The difference between 令 使 and 讓 is in 'degree of emphasis'; colloquial Cantonese typically use final particles for emphasis*

> In literal Cantonese (SWC- Standard written Chinese) It is the same as Mandarin

Example:

令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (Mandarin) = 令人不高興/ 使人不高興/ 讓人不高興 (SWC)

> Cantonese do not use 讓 (make/ cause) colloquially at all. However, there's a word we use in colloquial Cantonese for 'make/ cause' that is not used by Mandarin. This word is '等', but it has to be used with a 'cause'

Example:

"(等)佢熟透" = "(wait) for it to be cooked completely"

"加猛火(等)佢快啲熟透" = "use high heat (to make) it cooked completely faster"

In Mandarin, it would be "加猛火(讓)它快點熟透"

*One more note: Cantonese do use the compound words 使到 and 令到 colloquially. The same as Mandarin*


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### Answer by username_3 on 2018-10-11. Score: 1

1) Is the use of 令 different in Canto vs Mandarin?

> Firstly the word 令 has multiple meanings. I believe the usage are same for Canto vs Mandarin as long as you're referring to the same meaning of the word.

Is 妳這樣做令我開心 not proper Mandarin grammar?

> Instead of improper grammar, it's more of unpopular usage, like usually 讓 is used.

2) If there is a difference, when do you use 令 and when do you use 讓?

> For Canto it's pretty much the same, 讓 is usually used for formal written (novel / books) while 令 for oral / casual writing. Again it does not apply to 令's other meanings.

Worth to mention that for idiom, the words are not interchangeable.


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