Difference between revisions of "Using "ba" sentences"
 
(288 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{AKA|把字句 (Bǎzì Jù)|把 construction|disposal construction|preposition 把|pre-transitive 把}}
+
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
−
The '''把 sentence''' is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers at first.
+
{{AKA|把字句 ("bǎ"zìjù)|把 construction|preposition 把|disposal construction|pre-transitive 把}}
  
−
== How to form a 把 sentence ==
+
The 把 (bǎ) sentence is a useful structure for constructing longer sentences which focus on the result or influence of an action. One of its key features is that it brings the object of the verb closer to the front of the sentence and precedes it with a 把. It's really common in Mandarin but can feel a bit awkward at first for English speakers.
  
−
=== Basic 把 sentences ===
+
== What is a 把 sentence? ==
  
 
A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object (SVO) [[word order]], as in English:
 
A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object (SVO) [[word order]], as in English:
  
−
: <span class="liju">我 吃了 馒头。</span>
+
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + [Verb Phrase] + Obj.
 +
</div>
  
 
A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit, and you get this structure:
 
A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit, and you get this structure:
  
−
: <div class="jiegou">Subject + 把 + Object + Verb</div>
+
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 把 + Obj. + [Verb Phrase]
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
Note that the '''object has moved''', and is preceded by 把. You now have SOV word order.
 +
 
 +
This is all well and good, but most students of Chinese, on learning about 把 sentences for the first time, have the same reaction: ''"Why the heck would I ever use this structure?  The SVO word order always works just fine, right?"'' The answer is: well, no... not always.  It's true that 把 sentences are often used to achieve somewhat subtle differences in emphasis, but there are also very good reasons to use 把 sentences when a regular sentence just won't do. Take this sentence for example:
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
*<em>把</em> <strong>书</strong> 放 <strong>在</strong> 桌子 <strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Bǎ</em> <strong>shū</strong> fàng <strong>zài</strong> zhuōzi <strong>shàng</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Put the book on the table.</span>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
How would you say this without the 把 construction? You might try this:
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
<ul>
 +
<li class="x">放 <strong>书</strong> 在 桌子 <strong>上</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Fàng <strong>shū</strong> <strong>zài</strong> zhuōzi <strong>shàng</strong>.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 +
The problem is that the above Chinese sentence is not grammatical. ''You can't put an object right after a verb, and then put other modifiers of the verb after the object.'' Here are other examples of how to successfully use 把 and 放 in the same sentence.
 +
 
 +
*她 <em>把</em> <strong>我 的 手机</strong> 放 <strong>在</strong> 她 的 包 <strong>里</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> <strong>wǒ de shǒujī</strong> fàng <strong>zài</strong> tā de bāo <strong>lǐ</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">She put my cell phone in her bag.</span>
 +
*他 <em>把</em> <strong>脏 衣服</strong> 放 <strong>在</strong> 床 <strong>下面</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> <strong>zāng yīfu</strong> fàng <strong>zài</strong> chuáng <strong>xiàmiàn</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">He put his dirty laundry under the bed.</span>
 +
*你 是 不 是 <em>把</em> <strong>护照</strong> 放 <strong>在</strong> 行李箱 <strong>里</strong> 了 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì bu shì <em>bǎ</em> <strong>hùzhào</strong>  fàng <strong>zài</strong> xínglixiāng <strong>lǐ</strong> le?</span><span class="trans">Did you put your passport in your suitcase?</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
  
−
So you now have SOV word order:
+
For each of these, the sentence would be ungrammatical if you tried to do away with the 把 and put the object right after the verb.
  
−
: <span class="liju">我 把 馒头 吃下了。</span>
+
== Key Things to Keep in Mind When Using 把 ==
  
−
You might notice that another character, 下, crept in after the verb. This is because 把 sentences are used for describing ''what happened to'' the object. In other words, there always has to be something else after the verb:
+
* The object should be known. So it has already been mentioned or discussed previously.
 +
* 把字句 are most often used to describe what happened to the object in some detail. The verb is not just "bare"; there's "more stuff" after it. Often the "stuff" is related to some kind of manipulation of the object.
 +
* 把字句 are not tied to any particular time. You can use them when talking about events in the past, or for making a request.
  
−
: <div class="jiegou">Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + ''Something else''</div>
+
== 把 Sentences with Two Objects ==
  
−
This is often described as the ''disposal'' of the object, which might sound a bit fancy but we'll use it for convenience here. As well as the verb, you need to provide more information related to the action (in this case, that it was completed). In the example above 下 indicates this 'disposal'.
+
The usual structure for 把 sentences, as described above, puts the object right after 把. For certain verbs, however, you can have two objects in a 把 sentence. Their use in a 把 sentence will also involve [[prepositions]].
  
−
The idea of disposal will be covered in more detail below. For now, just remember that a 把 sentence must describe what happened to the object in the end (beyond just what the verb tells you by itself). A useful way of thinking about it is that 把 is similar to saying "What I did with ... was ... " or "What happened to ... was ...."
+
They use the following structure:
  
−
==== More examples ====
+
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 把 + Obj. 1 + Verb + 给 + Obj. 2
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
Common verbs that take two objects include: 送 (sòng), 拿 (ná), 递 (dì), 卖 (mài), 借 (jiè), 还 (huán), 介绍 (jièshào).
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:32em"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
−
|+Basic 把 sentences
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Subject !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Verb !! <em>Disposal</em> !!
+
! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Object 1</em> !! Verb !! Preposition !! <em>Object 2</em> !! !!
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我 || <em>把</em> || 那 本 书 || 放 || <em>在 桌子 上</em> || 。
+
| 我们 || 把 || <em>礼物</em> || 送 || 给 || <em>客人</em> || 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 你 || <em>把</em> || 你的作业 || 做 || <em>好</em> || 。
+
|&nbsp;|| 把 ||<em>盐</em> || 递 || 给 || <em>我</em> ||&nbsp;|| 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 他 || <em>把</em> || 我的 钱包 || 偷 || <em>走 了</em> || 。
+
| 他 || 把 ||  <em>房子</em> || 卖 || 给 || <em>谁</em> ||了 || ？
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 她 || <em>把</em> || 我的车 || 修 || <em>好了</em> || 。
+
| 我 || 把 || <em>他</em> || 介绍 || 给 || <em>我 老板</em> ||了 || 。
−
|-
 
−
| 您 || <em>把</em> || 您的 姓名 || 写 || <em>下来</em> || 。
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
Another important rule for using 把 sentences is that they have to be about something specific or definite. The object has to be something that is clear in the context, and known to both speaker and listener.
+
== 把 Sentences with Complements ==
  
−
=== Negating 把 sentences ===
+
Because 把 sentences are all about "doing stuff" to the object, and [[complements]] in Mandarin often handle this issue, it's good to be aware of how these two grammar features interact.
  
−
To negate a 把 sentence, insert 不 (present) or 没有 (past) directly in front of 把. You can't put it after 把, 'inside' the 把 construction, as this would break the rule about describing what happened to the object. It would be like saying "What happened to ... was nothing". It doesn't sound natural.
+
[[Result complement]]s work particularly well in 把 sentences. When you consider that both structures deal with the result or outcome of an action, this makes sense. The majority of result complements (except for perception verbs) fit in very well in a 把 construction. For example:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
+
 
−
|+Negating 把 sentences
+
*我 <em>把</em> 作业 做 <strong>完</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bǎ</em> zuòyè zuò <strong>wán</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">I finished doing my homework.</span>
−
|-
+
*老师 <em>把</em> 我 的 名字 读 <strong>错</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī <em>bǎ</em> wǒ de míngzì dú <strong>cuò</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">The teacher read my name wrong.</span>
−
! Subject !! <em>Negative</em> !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !! Disposal !!
+
 
−
|-
 
−
| 我 || <em>没有</em> || 把 || 你的 电脑 || 弄 || 坏 || 。
 
−
|-
 
−
| 你 || <em>不要</em> || 把 || 我的 啤酒 || 喝 || 完 || 。
 
−
|-
 
−
| 他 || <em>没</em> || 把 || 钥匙 || 拿 || 起来 || 。
 
−
|-
 
−
| 她 || <em>没有</em> || 把 || 她的 房间 || 收拾 || 干净 || 。
 
−
|}
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== Question forms of 把 sentences ===
+
[[Direction complement]]s also work well in 把 constructions, for similar reasons. For example:
  
−
You can make 把 sentences into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Mandarin:
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
* With a question particle
+
*请 <em>把</em> 客人 带 <strong>进去</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng <em>bǎ</em> kèrén dài <strong>jìnqù</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Please take the guests inside.</span>
−
* With a question word
+
*<em>把</em> 我 的 眼镜 拿 <strong>过来</strong> 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Bǎ</em> wǒ de yǎnjìng ná <strong>guòlái</strong>.</span><span class="trans">Please bring my glasses over here.</span>
−
* With positive-negative verbs
 
  
−
Some examples:
+
</div>
  
−
<span class="liju">
+
Note that [[potential complement]]s do not appear in 把 sentences. This is because they are hypothetical, whereas a 把 sentence must describe what actually happens.
−
: 你把你的手机弄丢了吗？
 
−
: 你可以把五个汉堡吃下吗？
 
  
−
: 你把我的东西放在哪里了？
+
== Forming 把 Sentences ==
−
: 他把你的自行车卖给谁了？
 
−
 
−
: 你是不是把牙膏用完了？
 
−
: 你能不能把我写的文章翻译成英文？
 
−
</span>
 
  
−
Be careful how you form questions with 把 sentences though. Remember that you have to have a definite object, and you have to describe the disposal of that object. A question form could easily get in the way of one of these conditions.
+
Since the basic structure has already been given above, we can jump right into some more exciting patterns!
  
−
=== Adverbs in 把 sentences ===
+
=== Negating 把 Sentences ===
  
−
Adverbs can usually be placed before 把 or before the verb (the exception is negative adverbs, as described above). Adverbs in each of these positions can change the meaning in slightly different ways, as demonstrated with 都 in the examples below. In the first sentence, "我们都把作业做完了", 都 modifies "我们" to make "We all finished the homework." In the second sentence, 都 modifies 作业 to make "We finished all the homework."
+
To negate a 把 sentence, insert 不要 or 别 (present or future) or 没有 (past) directly in front of 把. You can't put it after 把, 'inside' the 把 construction, as this would break the rule about describing what actually happened to the object. It would be like saying "What happened to... was nothing." It doesn't sound natural.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:43em"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
−
|+把 sentences with adverbs
+
|+A few examples:
−
|-
 
−
! Subject !! <em>Adverb</em> !! 把 !! Object !! <em>Adverb</em> !! Verb !! Disposal !!
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我们 || <em>都</em> || 把 || 作业 || <em></em> || 做 || 完了 || 。
+
! Subject !! <em>Negative</em> !! 把 !! Object !! Verb Phrase !!
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我们 || <em></em> || 把 || 作业 || <em>都</em> || 做 || 完了 || 。
+
| 阿姨 || <em>没有</em> || 把 || 房间 || 打扫 干净 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 他 || <em>不小心</em> || 把 || 我的 秘密 || <em></em> || 告诉 || 别人 了 || 。
+
| 我 || <em>没</em> || 把 || 钱 || 借给 他 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 她 || <em></em> || 把 || 茶 || <em>全</em> || 喝 || 完了 || 。
+
| 你们|| <em>不要</em> || 把 || 这 件 事 || 告诉 她 || 。
 
|}
 
|}
 
</div>
 
</div>
−
(Note the subtle difference in meaning between the first two sentences.)
 
  
−
=== 把 sentences and measure words ===
+
=== Question Forms of 把 Sentences ===
  
−
As mentioned above, the object of a 把 sentence must be something specific and definite. This excludes usage with quite a lot of measure word phrases as these are indefinite. So the English sentence
+
You can make 把 sentences into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Mandarin:
  
−
: I ate two bananas.
+
* With a question particle
 +
* With a question word
 +
* With positive-negative verbs
  
−
should not be a 把 sentence in Mandarin, as the object ''bananas'' is not definite. It's any two bananas, not two specific bananas that are clear in the context. However, the sentence
+
Some examples:
  
−
: I ate two '''of the''' bananas.
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
has a very definite object (marked by ''the'' in English). The listener should known exactly which bananas the speaker ate two of, so it would be a 把 sentence in Chinese. The measure word and quantity appear in this structure:
+
*你们 <em>把</em> <strong>那个 问题</strong> 解决 了 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>bǎ</em> <strong>nàge wèntí</strong> jiějué le ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you solve that problem?</span>
 +
*你 <em>把</em> <strong>我 手机</strong> 放 在哪儿 了 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bǎ</em> <strong>wǒ shǒujī</strong> fàng zài nǎr le?</span><span class="trans">Where did you put my cell phone?</span>
 +
*他 <em>把</em> <strong>钱</strong> 借 给 谁 了 ？<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> <strong>qián</strong> jiè gěi shéi le?</span><span class="trans">Who did he lend the money to?</span>
 +
*你 能不能 <em>把</em> <strong>你 房间</strong> 打扫 干净 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ néng bu néng <em>bǎ</em> <strong>nǐ fángjiān</strong> dǎsǎo gānjìng?</span><span class="trans">Can you clean your room or not?</span>
  
−
: <div class="jiegou">Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Measure word phrase</div>
+
</div>
  
−
The example above would be:
+
Be careful how you form questions with 把 sentences though. Remember that you have to have a definite object, and you have to describe what was done to that object. A question form could easily get in the way of one of these conditions.
  
−
: <span class="liju">我把香蕉吃了三个。</span>
+
=== Adverbs in 把 Sentences ===
  
−
The measure word phrase 三个 fulfils the rule about describing ''what happened to'' the object (its ''disposal''). The ultimate fate of the bananas is that two of them were eaten.
+
Adverbs can usually be placed before 把 or before the verb (the exception is negative adverbs, as described above). Adverbs in each of these positions can change the meaning in slightly different ways, as demonstrated with 都 in the examples below.  
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:43em"
−
|+More 把 and quantity examples
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !! <em>Quantity</em> !!
+
! Subj. !! Adv. !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !! &nbsp;
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我 || 把 || 衣服 || 洗了 || <em>三 遍</em> || 。
+
| 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>把</em> || 作业 || &nbsp; || 做 完 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 你 || 把 || 这些 规则 || 看 || <em>两 回</em> || 。
+
| 他 || &nbsp; || <em>把</em> || 咖啡 || <strong>都</strong> || 喝 完 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 他 || 把 || 蛋糕 || 吃了 || <em>一半</em> || 。
+
| 他 || <strong>已经</strong> || 把 || 钱 || &nbsp; || 还给 我 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 她 || 把 || 课文 || 翻译了 || <em>不少</em> || 。
+
| 我 || <strong>可能</strong> || 把 || 手机 || &nbsp; || 忘 在 朋友 家 了 || 。
 
|}
 
|}
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
Note that in all of these sentences, the object is something specific and definite. For example, the third sentence can not be translated as "I ate half ''a'' cake." It has to be "I ate half of ''the'' cake."
+
In the first sentence, 都 modifies 我们 to express "we all finished the homework." In the second sentence, 都 modifies 咖啡 to express "he finished all the coffee".
  
−
=== 把 sentences with two objects ===
+
=== 把 Sentences and Quantity Phrases ===
  
−
The usual structure for 把 sentences, as described above, puts the object right after 把. You can have two objects in a 把 sentence, though. This uses the following structure:
+
As mentioned above, the object of a 把 sentence must be something specific and definite. This might involve noun [[measure word]]s, which will come after the 把 and before the object.
  
−
: Subject + 把 + Object 1 + Verb + Object 2
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
Usually the second object is a feature or smaller part of the first one, or at least related to it in some way.
 
−
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
−
|+把 sentences with two objects
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Subject !! 把 !! Object 1 !! Verb !! <em>Object 2</em> !!
+
! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! Noun !! Verb Phrase !!
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我 || 把 || 我的 自行车 || 换了 || <em>轮</em> || 。
+
| 我 || 把 || 那 <em>两 件</em> || 脏 衣服 || 洗 干净 了 ||  。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 你 || 把 || 窗 || 上了 || <em>锁</em> || 。
+
| 他 || 把 || 最后 <em>三 块</em> || 蛋糕 ||  吃 完 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我 || 把 || 文章 || 修改了 || <em>错误</em> || 。
+
| 你 || 把 || 这 <em>几 句</em> || 话 || 读 一下 || 。
−
|-
 
−
| 他 || 把 || 那 件 衣服 || 清除了 || <em>污迹</em> || 。
 
−
|-
 
−
| 她 || 把 || 电脑 || 安装了 || <em>软件</em> || 。
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== 把 sentences and aspect particles ===
+
[[Verb measure words]] are frequently used in 把 sentences and come at the end of a 把 sentence.
  
−
The particles 了 and 着 can both be used with 把 constructions, whilst 过 cannot. This is because the object of a 把 construction must be obvious, or 'present' in some way in the context. 过 indicates some kind of action in the past, which suggests that the object is no longer present in the context, so it's not suitable for a 把 construction.
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
了 and 着, though, can be used to indicate that the disposal of the object is complete or ongoing, respectively.
 
−
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
−
|+把 sentences and aspect particles
+
|+Some examples:
−
|-
 
−
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb phrase !! <em>Aspect particle</em> !!
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 我 || 把 || 那 本 书 || 翻译成英文 || <em>了</em> || 。
+
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !!<em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! &nbsp;
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 你 || （不要） 把 || 门 || 开 || <em>着</em> || 。
+
| &nbsp;|| 把 || 课文 || 读 || <em>一 遍</em> || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 她 || 把 || 瓶子 || 打破 || <em>了</em> || 。
+
| 她 || 把 || 这个 字 || 写 了 || <em>十 遍</em> || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 他 || 把 || 那 件 衣服 || 清除 || <em>着</em> || 。
+
| 他 || 把 || 手机 || 摔坏 过 || <em>两 三 次</em> || 。
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
== When to use a 把 sentence ==
+
Note that in all of these sentences, the object is something specific and definite.
  
−
The conditions for using a 把 sentence were briefly mentioned above. These are:
+
== QUIZ TIME! ==
  
−
* The object is '''definite''' and '''specific''', or '''generic'''.
+
<h3 class="quiz">Ready to Check Your Mastery of 把?</h3>
−
* The sentence describes '''what happened to''' the object.
+
<div class="quiz">
  
−
=== Known object ===
+
If you're pretty clear on the explanations you've read so far and the examples make sense to you, you still need to put your knowledge to the test.
  
−
把 sentences can only deal with objects that are previously known about or have been clearly established in context. In other words, 把 sentences should have objects that are ''obvious''.
+
<div class="quiz-link">[https://quizzes.allsetlearning.com/q/grammar-ba3-01/ Take the 把 Quiz!]</div>
  
−
This means that the object must either be ''definite'' (often preceded by 'the' in English), or ''generic''. A generic object is a general class of things that the listener should know about. For example:
+
</div>
  
−
: <span class="liju">我有时候把茶当咖啡喝。</span>
+
== Verbs for 把 Sentences ==
  
−
Here 茶 and 咖啡 do not refer to any particular cups of tea or coffee, but to these drinks in general. This is acceptable because as general classes of things (''generic objects''), these are known and understood by the listener.
+
Some verbs generally can't indicate what happened ''to'' the object. They only describe what the subject did. Below are some examples of verbs that do not generally work in 把 sentences.
  
−
=== Disposal (what happened to the object) ===
+
[[Psychological verb]]s: 爱 (ài) "to love," 喜欢 (xǐhuan) "to like," 想  (xiǎng) "to miss," 了解 (liǎojiě) "to know well," 害怕 (hàipà) "to fear," 恨 (hèn ) "to hate."
  
−
The other requirement for a 把 sentence is that it described what happened to the object, or its end fate as far as the sentence is concerned. This rules out any actions that don't have a clear effect on the object, such as [[psychological verbs]]. For example, you generally can't use 把 sentences to describe emotions or perceptions. Something has to be ''done to'' the object, and not just ''done by'' the subject.
+
[[Perception verb]]s: 看 (kàn) "to look at," 听 (tīng) "to listen to," 闻 (wén) "to smell," 像 (xiàng) "to resemble."
  
−
Some examples:
+
== Other Uses of 把 ==
  
−
: <span class="liju">* 我把他想念。</span>
+
It's important to note that 把 is a word with other uses. The most common is as a [[measure word]] for things with handles, or things that you hold. Examples include 一把伞 ("an umbrella"), 一把枪 ("a gun"), and 一把椅子 ("a chair"). So, you've got to look at how 把 is being used in a sentence before you can understand its meaning.
−
: <span class="liju">* 他把他妹妹爱。</span>
 
−
: <span class="liju">* 你把我的东西看见了吗？</span>
 
  
−
None of these are acceptable 把 sentences because the object is not directly changed or affected by the verb. There is no disposal. So far so good. But it can get a bit trickier. The object does not have to be physically affected in the real world for a 把 sentence to be acceptable. For example, a 把 sentence could be used to describe something being written down:
+
To demonstrate the difference, here's a sentence with both kinds of 把:
  
−
: <span class="liju">我把我的姓名写下来了。</span>
+
<div class="liju">
−
 
+
*请 你 <em>把</em> 那 <strong>把</strong> 伞 拿 给 我 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng nǐ <em>bǎ</em> nà <strong>bǎ</strong> sǎn ná gěi wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Please give me that umbrella.</span>
−
Here the name hasn't been physically affected, but it has been converted into written form so its disposal is still described. Another example:
+
</div>
−
 
 
−
: <span class="liju">我有一件是想说出来。</span>
 
−
 
 
−
Again, the 'something' in this sentence can't be 'changed' or 'affected' by being spoken about, but it is a change of form so a 把 sentence can be used. Even real world objects that do physically exist do not need to be physically affected to appear in a 把 sentence:
 
−
 
 
−
: <span class="liju">我把小偷的脸给警察描述出来了。</span>
 
−
 
 
−
Nothing has actually happened to the thief's face here, but its appearance has been described and passed on to the police, which counts as disposal.
 
−
 
 
−
== Verbs for 把 sentences ==
 
−
 
 
−
You might have noticed by now that some types of verbs are more suitable for 把 sentences than others. This comes back to the issue of disposal, as described in the section above. Because of this, there are some verbs that work really well in 把 sentences, or even sound unnatural without this structure. Here are some examples:
 
−
 
 
−
* 放 - putting an object in a place is a perfect action for a 把 sentence. 放 pretty much ''has'' to be in a 把 construction.
 
−
* 买 and 卖. Sentences about buying and selling also prefer a 把 structure.
 
−
* 当 and 成. Taking one thing to be another or converting something into something else is best expressed with a 把 sentence.
 
−
 
 
−
A related point is that the verb (or verb phrase) in a 把 sentence must clearly indicate the result. This prevents single character verbs from being used alone in 把 sentences. They have to be combined with some sort of [[Result complement|result]] to form a compound. Common options are 下, 到, 掉.
 
−
 
 
−
Because result complements and 把 sentences are both about the end results of actions, they appear together very frequently. If you're using one, in most cases you can be pretty sure that it will go nicely with the other.
 
−
 
 
−
On the other hand, some verbs generally can't indicate what happened ''to'' the object. They only describe what the subject did. Here are some examples of verbs that do not generally work in 把 sentences:
 
−
 
 
−
* Psychological verbs
 
−
** 爱
 
−
** 喜欢
 
−
** 想念
 
−
** 了解
 
−
** 害怕
 
−
** 痛恨
 
−
* Perception verbs
 
−
** 看
 
−
** 听
 
−
** 闻
 
−
** 像
 
−
 
 
−
== 把 sentences and complements ==
 
−
 
 
−
Because 把 sentences are all about disposal, and [[complements]] in Mandarin often handle this issue, it's good to be aware of how these two grammar features interact.
 
−
 
 
−
The first point is that [[Potential complement|potential complements]] cannot appear in 把 sentences. This is because they are hypothetical, whereas a 把 sentence must describe what actually happens.
 
−
 
 
−
[[Result complement]]s, on the other hand, work particularly well in 把 sentences. When you consider that both structures deal with the result or outcome of an action, this makes sense. The majority of result complements (except for perception verbs) fit in very well in a 把 construction. A couple of examples:
 
−
 
 
−
<span class="liju">
 
−
* 我把我的作业做完了。
 
−
* 你把这个汉字写错了。
 
−
</span>
 
−
 
 
−
[[Direction complement]]s also work well in 把 constructions, for similar reasons. For example:
 
−
 
 
−
<span class="liju">
 
−
* 请把这些东西拿起来。
 
−
* 我把他推出去了。
 
−
</span>
 
−
 
 
−
In summary, remember that 把 sentences can not be used with potential complements, but prefer to be used with result and direction complements.
 
−
 
 
−
== Other uses of 把 ==
 
−
 
 
−
It's important to note that 把 has other uses. The most common is as a [[measure word]] for things with handles, or things that you hold. Examples include ''一把椅子'', ''一把枪'' and ''一把扇子''. So, you've got to look at how 把 is being used in a sentence before you can understand its meaning.
 
  
−
To demonstrate the difference, here's a sentence with both kinds of 把 in:
+
==See also==
  
−
: <span class="liju">请你把那把椅子交给我。</span>
+
*[[Result complement]]
 +
*[[Direction complement]]
 +
*[[Bei sentence]]
 +
*[[Aspect particles]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
Line 301: Line 248:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
−
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar] (pp. 463 - 492)
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|93, 101, 119}}
−
* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照)] (pp. 461 - 470)
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |461-70}}
−
* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B0041UGAJU&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B0041UGAJU 简明汉语语法学习手册] (pp. 167 - 181)
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|53-4}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|159-64}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册)|167-81}}
 +
{{Source|Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)|3-5}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|142-4}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|225-7, 321-3}}
 +
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|463-92}}
 +
{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|354-5}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) |41-2, 88}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) |15, 51, 101-2}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册）|369-70, 384, 398-9}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
Line 309: Line 266:
 
* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/ba/grammar/ba.htm 把 Construction]
 
* Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/mandarin/content/ba/grammar/ba.htm 把 Construction]
 
* CTCFL (Oxford): [http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Grammar%20exercises/Ba.htm The 把 Construction]
 
* CTCFL (Oxford): [http://www.ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Grammar%20exercises/Ba.htm The 把 Construction]
 +
* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-magic-word-%E6%8A%8A Qing Wen - The Magic Word 把] (free podcast content)
 +
* ChinesePod: [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/%E6%8A%8A-humbug Qing Wen - 把 Humbug] (free podcast content)
 +
* FluentU: [http://www.fluentu.com/chinese/blog/2015/04/01/mandarin-chinese-ba/ The Definite Guide to the Chinese Ba Construction]
 
* Mandarin Online: [http://xmmandarinonline.com/2010/10/grammar-the-ba3-sentence/ 把字句]
 
* Mandarin Online: [http://xmmandarinonline.com/2010/10/grammar-the-ba3-sentence/ 把字句]
 +
* Just Learn Chinese (blog): [http://justlearnchinese.com/lesson-10-how-to-understand-and-use-pattern-%E2%80%9C-%E6%8A%8A-%E2%80%9D-in-chinese/ Lesson 10 How to understand and use Chinese sentence pattern “…把…”?]
  
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|把|B1|Subj. + 把 + Obj.+ Verb Phrase|我 <em>把 书</em> 看 完 了。|grammar point|ASG2UB2B}}
 +
{{Similar|Aspect particles}}
 +
{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing future with "jiang"}}
 +
{{Similar|Using "jiang" as a formal "ba"}}
 +
{{Used for|Expressing passive voice}}
 +
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}

Latest revision as of 02:55, 31 December 2021

Also known as: 把字句 ("bǎ"zìjù), 把 construction, preposition 把, disposal construction and pre-transitive 把.

The 把 (bǎ) sentence is a useful structure for constructing longer sentences which focus on the result or influence of an action. One of its key features is that it brings the object of the verb closer to the front of the sentence and precedes it with a 把. It's really common in Mandarin but can feel a bit awkward at first for English speakers.

What is a 把 sentence?

A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, as in English:

Subj. + [Verb Phrase] + Obj.

A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit, and you get this structure:

Subj. + 把 + Obj. + [Verb Phrase]

Note that the object has moved, and is preceded by 把. You now have SOV word order.

This is all well and good, but most students of Chinese, on learning about 把 sentences for the first time, have the same reaction: "Why the heck would I ever use this structure? The SVO word order always works just fine, right?" The answer is: well, no... not always. It's true that 把 sentences are often used to achieve somewhat subtle differences in emphasis, but there are also very good reasons to use 把 sentences when a regular sentence just won't do. Take this sentence for example:

  • 把 书 放 在 桌子 上 。Bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.Put the book on the table.

How would you say this without the 把 construction? You might try this:

  • 放 书 在 桌子 上 。Fàng shū zài zhuōzi shàng.

The problem is that the above Chinese sentence is not grammatical. You can't put an object right after a verb, and then put other modifiers of the verb after the object. Here are other examples of how to successfully use 把 and 放 in the same sentence.

  • 她 把 我 的 手机 放 在 她 的 包 里 了 。Tā bǎ wǒ de shǒujī fàng zài tā de bāo lǐ le.She put my cell phone in her bag.
  • 他 把 脏 衣服 放 在 床 下面 了 。Tā bǎ zāng yīfu fàng zài chuáng xiàmiàn le.He put his dirty laundry under the bed.
  • 你 是 不 是 把 护照 放 在 行李箱 里 了 ？Nǐ shì bu shì bǎ hùzhào fàng zài xínglixiāng lǐ le?Did you put your passport in your suitcase?

For each of these, the sentence would be ungrammatical if you tried to do away with the 把 and put the object right after the verb.

Key Things to Keep in Mind When Using 把

  • The object should be known. So it has already been mentioned or discussed previously.
  • 把字句 are most often used to describe what happened to the object in some detail. The verb is not just "bare"; there's "more stuff" after it. Often the "stuff" is related to some kind of manipulation of the object.
  • 把字句 are not tied to any particular time. You can use them when talking about events in the past, or for making a request.

把 Sentences with Two Objects

The usual structure for 把 sentences, as described above, puts the object right after 把. For certain verbs, however, you can have two objects in a 把 sentence. Their use in a 把 sentence will also involve prepositions.

They use the following structure:

Subj. + 把 + Obj. 1 + Verb + 给 + Obj. 2

Common verbs that take two objects include: 送 (sòng), 拿 (ná), 递 (dì), 卖 (mài), 借 (jiè), 还 (huán), 介绍 (jièshào).

Some examples:
Subject 把 Object 1 Verb Preposition Object 2
我们 把 礼物 送 给 客人 了 。
  把 盐 递 给 我   。
他 把 房子 卖 给 谁 了 ？
我 把 他 介绍 给 我 老板 了 。

把 Sentences with Complements

Because 把 sentences are all about "doing stuff" to the object, and complements in Mandarin often handle this issue, it's good to be aware of how these two grammar features interact.

Result complements work particularly well in 把 sentences. When you consider that both structures deal with the result or outcome of an action, this makes sense. The majority of result complements (except for perception verbs) fit in very well in a 把 construction. For example:

  • 我 把 作业 做 完 了 。Wǒ bǎ zuòyè zuò wán le.I finished doing my homework.
  • 老师 把 我 的 名字 读 错 了 。Lǎoshī bǎ wǒ de míngzì dú cuò le.The teacher read my name wrong.

Direction complements also work well in 把 constructions, for similar reasons. For example:

  • 请 把 客人 带 进去 。Qǐng bǎ kèrén dài jìnqù.Please take the guests inside.
  • 把 我 的 眼镜 拿 过来 。Bǎ wǒ de yǎnjìng ná guòlái.Please bring my glasses over here.

Note that potential complements do not appear in 把 sentences. This is because they are hypothetical, whereas a 把 sentence must describe what actually happens.

Forming 把 Sentences

Since the basic structure has already been given above, we can jump right into some more exciting patterns!

Negating 把 Sentences

To negate a 把 sentence, insert 不要 or 别 (present or future) or 没有 (past) directly in front of 把. You can't put it after 把, 'inside' the 把 construction, as this would break the rule about describing what actually happened to the object. It would be like saying "What happened to... was nothing." It doesn't sound natural.

A few examples:
Subject Negative 把 Object Verb Phrase
阿姨 没有 把 房间 打扫 干净 。
我 没 把 钱 借给 他 。
你们 不要 把 这 件 事 告诉 她 。

Question Forms of 把 Sentences

You can make 把 sentences into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Mandarin:

  • With a question particle
  • With a question word
  • With positive-negative verbs

Some examples:

  • 你们 把 那个 问题 解决 了 吗 ？Nǐmen bǎ nàge wèntí jiějué le ma?Did you solve that problem?
  • 你 把 我 手机 放 在哪儿 了 ？Nǐ bǎ wǒ shǒujī fàng zài nǎr le?Where did you put my cell phone?
  • 他 把 钱 借 给 谁 了 ？Tā bǎ qián jiè gěi shéi le?Who did he lend the money to?
  • 你 能不能 把 你 房间 打扫 干净 ？Nǐ néng bu néng bǎ nǐ fángjiān dǎsǎo gānjìng?Can you clean your room or not?

Be careful how you form questions with 把 sentences though. Remember that you have to have a definite object, and you have to describe what was done to that object. A question form could easily get in the way of one of these conditions.

Adverbs in 把 Sentences

Adverbs can usually be placed before 把 or before the verb (the exception is negative adverbs, as described above). Adverbs in each of these positions can change the meaning in slightly different ways, as demonstrated with 都 in the examples below.

Some examples:
Subj. Adv. 把 Object Adv. Verb Phrase  
我们 都 把 作业   做 完 了 。
他   把 咖啡 都 喝 完 了 。
他 已经 把 钱   还给 我 了 。
我 可能 把 手机   忘 在 朋友 家 了 。

In the first sentence, 都 modifies 我们 to express "we all finished the homework." In the second sentence, 都 modifies 咖啡 to express "he finished all the coffee".

把 Sentences and Quantity Phrases

As mentioned above, the object of a 把 sentence must be something specific and definite. This might involve noun measure words, which will come after the 把 and before the object.

Some examples:
Subject 把 Quantity Phrase Noun Verb Phrase
我 把 那 两 件 脏 衣服 洗 干净 了 。
他 把 最后 三 块 蛋糕 吃 完 了 。
你 把 这 几 句 话 读 一下 。

Verb measure words are frequently used in 把 sentences and come at the end of a 把 sentence.

Some examples:
Subject 把 Object Verb Quantity Phrase  
  把 课文 读 一 遍 。
她 把 这个 字 写 了 十 遍 。
他 把 手机 摔坏 过 两 三 次 。

Note that in all of these sentences, the object is something specific and definite.

QUIZ TIME!

Ready to Check Your Mastery of 把?

If you're pretty clear on the explanations you've read so far and the examples make sense to you, you still need to put your knowledge to the test.

Take the 把 Quiz!

Verbs for 把 Sentences

Some verbs generally can't indicate what happened to the object. They only describe what the subject did. Below are some examples of verbs that do not generally work in 把 sentences.

Psychological verbs: 爱 (ài) "to love," 喜欢 (xǐhuan) "to like," 想 (xiǎng) "to miss," 了解 (liǎojiě) "to know well," 害怕 (hàipà) "to fear," 恨 (hèn ) "to hate."

Perception verbs: 看 (kàn) "to look at," 听 (tīng) "to listen to," 闻 (wén) "to smell," 像 (xiàng) "to resemble."

Other Uses of 把

It's important to note that 把 is a word with other uses. The most common is as a measure word for things with handles, or things that you hold. Examples include 一把伞 ("an umbrella"), 一把枪 ("a gun"), and 一把椅子 ("a chair"). So, you've got to look at how 把 is being used in a sentence before you can understand its meaning.

To demonstrate the difference, here's a sentence with both kinds of 把:

  • 请 你 把 那 把 伞 拿 给 我 。Qǐng nǐ bǎ nà bǎ sǎn ná gěi wǒ.Please give me that umbrella.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

Retrieved from "https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Using_%22ba%22_sentences&oldid=49140"