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HSK 1 Double-Object Sentences (双宾语句1): Subject + Verb + Object 1 + Object 2
In Mandarin Chinese, a double-object sentence allows a single verb of giving, teaching, asking, or telling to take two objects directly in sequence: first the person receiving the action (Object 1), and second the item or information transferred (Object 2).
服务员给我一杯水。
Correct: 我 (wǒ, me) is Object 1 (the recipient), and 一杯水 (yì bēi shuǐ, a glass of water) is Object 2 (the item given).
× 服务员给一杯水我。
In this standard double-object pattern, the person comes before the item. Use 服务员给我一杯水. Placing an item before the person requires a different construction, not a simple swap of these two objects.
Corrected example: 服务员给我一杯水。
Read the full explanation and examples
What Is a Double-Object Sentence?
In the HSK 1 grammar syllabus, Double-Object Sentence 1 (双宾语句1) is classified as a special sentence pattern with the formula Subject + Verb + Object 1 + Object 2. In everyday communication, we often describe actions where something—either a physical object or a piece of information—is passed from one person to another. Instead of using a preposition equivalent to English 'to' or 'for', Mandarin places both objects directly after the verb.
- Object 1 (Indirect Object / 宾语1): Almost always refers to a person or institution (the recipient, listener, or student). It comes immediately after the verb.
- Object 2 (Direct Object / 宾语2): Almost always refers to a thing, a quantity, a language, or a piece of information being transferred. It comes after Object 1.
服务员给我一杯水。
Correct: 我 (wǒ, me) is Object 1 (the recipient), and 一杯水 (yì bēi shuǐ, a glass of water) is Object 2 (the item given).
Which Verbs Can Take Two Objects at HSK 1?
Not every transitive verb takes two objects directly. Learn the verbs with their permitted patterns rather than assuming that any action benefiting someone works this way. The five verbs below give useful beginner examples of giving, teaching, asking, telling and returning.
- 给 (gěi - to give): Used when handing over physical items or providing something to someone.
- 教 (jiāo - to teach): Used when instructing someone in a subject, language, or skill. Note that in this meaning it is pronounced in the first tone (jiāo).
- 问 (wèn - to ask): Used when directing a question or inquiry to a person.
- 告诉 (gàosu - to tell): Used when passing on news, a fact, or a matter to a listener.
- 还 (huán - to return / give back): Used when returning borrowed money or items to their owner. Note that as a verb meaning 'to return something', it is pronounced huán, not hái.
王老师教我们汉语。
Correct: 我们 (wǒmen, us) is Object 1, and 汉语 (Hànyǔ, Chinese) is Object 2.
姐姐告诉我一件事。
Correct: 告诉 (gàosu, tell) takes the listener 我 (wǒ) as Object 1 and the information 一件事 (yí jiàn shì) as Object 2.
明天我还你十块钱。
Correct: 还 (huán, return) takes the person receiving the money 你 (nǐ) first, followed by the amount 十块钱 (shí kuài qián).
Using Double Objects in Statements and Polite Questions
Object 2 often introduces new information, so a number and classifier are useful with an individual item: 一杯水 or 一个问题. They are not compulsory for every countable noun. The subject taught can be simply 汉语; an item already understood from context can also appear without a new quantity, as in 明天我还你书, “I’ll return your books tomorrow”.
When asking permission or making a polite request—especially with the verb 问 (to ask)—speakers commonly place a modal verb like 可以 (kěyǐ - may/can) before the main verb and add 吗 (ma) at the end of the sentence. The internal order of the verb and its two objects never changes.
我可以问你一个问题吗？
Correct: A polite yes-no question where 你 (nǐ, you) is Object 1 and 一个问题 (yí gè wèntí, a question) is Object 2.
Key Contrast: Person First, Thing Second
English allows two different orders for giving and telling: 'give me a cup of water' (person first) or 'give a cup of water to me' (thing first, with a preposition). Standard Mandarin double-object sentences do not allow you to simply swap the two objects after the verb. Placing the thing before the person directly after the verb is ungrammatical in standard Mandarin.
× 服务员给一杯水我。
In this standard double-object pattern, the person comes before the item. Use 服务员给我一杯水. Placing an item before the person requires a different construction, not a simple swap of these two objects.
Corrected example: 服务员给我一杯水。
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any verb in the Subject + Verb + Object 1 + Object 2 pattern?
No. Only verbs that inherently involve transferring an item or communicating information to someone—such as 给 (give), 教 (teach), 问 (ask), 告诉 (tell), and 还 (return)—can take two direct objects in this exact pattern at the beginner level.
Does Object 2 always need a number and measure word?
Not always, though it is very common. When Object 2 is a single countable item being introduced (like 一杯水 'a glass of water' or 一个问题 'a question'), a numeral and measure word make the sentence sound complete and natural. When Object 2 is a general subject like 汉语 (Chinese), no measure word is needed.
Why do 教 and 还 have special pronunciations in these sentences?
Both characters have multiple pronunciations. When 教 is used as a verb meaning 'to teach someone something', it is pronounced in the first tone (jiāo). When 还 is used as a verb meaning 'to return something to someone', it is pronounced huán (second tone), whereas hái means 'still' or 'also'.
