由 … 做主 (for … to decide)
IntroducedName the person who has the final say
- A group asks who should select the gift. The decision is assigned to the child.
- to buy买what什么gift礼物，by由child孩子oneself自己decide做主。 — The child is given authority over this particular choice.
Locate the pattern in real examples
- by由 … decide做主 (for … to decide): this这(measure word)件main content事由you你decide做主。; home家里(modifier / structural particle)的major event大事by由father and mother父母decide做主。
- Read the whole clause before choosing a translation. The examples show the pattern in use; the context below determines what the speaker claims.
A group asks who should select the gift. The decision is assigned to the child. What does 买什么礼物，由孩子自己做主。 communicate?
The child is given authority over this particular choice. This does not mean the child controls the entire event. State the area first when needed; 做主 assigns decision authority, unlike 帮忙, which only offers assistance.
Follow the speaker
this这(measure word)件matter事by由you你decide做主。
- In the opening situation: to buy买what什么gift礼物，by由child孩子oneself自己decide做主。
- The child is given authority over this particular choice.
Using the pattern named in this lesson: This is yours to decide: 这件事 ____ 你做主。
(Area) + 由 + Person + 做主 = for … to decide: 由你做主.
由…做主 names who is in charge of a decision.
Yes — Area + 由 + Person + 做主.
Check the limit of the explanation
- This does not mean the child controls the entire event.
- State the area first when needed; decide做主 assigns decision authority, unlike to help帮忙, which only offers assistance.
The child is given authority over every decision at the event.
This does not mean the child controls the entire event. State the area first when needed; 做主 assigns decision authority, unlike 帮忙, which only offers assistance. The child is given authority over this particular choice.
Repair the form before interpreting it
- The form to buy买what什么gift礼物，by由decide做主child孩子 needs repair here. Write to buy买what什么gift礼物，by由child孩子decide做主 instead; keep the word or frame in its demonstrated order.
- Form and meaning are separate checks. After the repair, explain the sentence in its situation rather than treating a familiar translation as a universal rule.
Rewrite the demonstrated repair exactly: 买什么礼物，由做主孩子
The demonstrated form is 买什么礼物，由孩子做主. The child is given authority over this particular choice.
Keep the distinction
- The child is given authority over this particular choice. Check the relevant speaker, time or group in the surrounding context.
- This does not mean the child controls the entire event. State the area first when needed; decide做主 assigns decision authority, unlike to help帮忙, which only offers assistance.
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Sentence patterns.
做主 gives someone…
这件事由你做主 = it's yours to decide.
A group asks who should select the gift. The decision is assigned to the child. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.