Difference between revisions of "Using "ba" sentences"
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{{AKA|把字句 ("bǎ"zìjù)|把 construction|preposition 把|disposal construction|pre-transitive 把}} | {{AKA|把字句 ("bǎ"zìjù)|把 construction|preposition 把|disposal construction|pre-transitive 把}} | ||
− | The | + | 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? == | == What is a 把 sentence? == | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
− | Subj. + [Verb Phrase] + | + | Subj. + [Verb Phrase] + Obj. |
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
− | Subj. + 把 + | + | Subj. + 把 + Obj. + [Verb Phrase] |
</div> | </div> | ||
Note that the '''object has moved''', and is preceded by 把. You now have SOV word order. | 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 | + | 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"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | *<em>把</em> <strong>书</strong> 放 <strong>在</strong> 桌子 <strong>上</strong> 。 | + | *<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> | </div> | ||
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</ul> | </ul> | ||
− | The | + | 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 phone in her bag.</span> | + | *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 | + | *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 | + | *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> | </div> | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 == | == 把 Sentences with Two Objects == | ||
− | The usual structure for 把 sentences, as described above, puts the object right after 把 | + | 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: | They use the following structure: | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | ||
+ | |+Some examples: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Object 1</em> !! Verb !! Preposition !! <em>Object 2</em> !! !! | ! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Object 1</em> !! Verb !! Preposition !! <em>Object 2</em> !! !! | ||
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| 我们 || 把 || <em>礼物</em> || 送 || 给 || <em>客人</em> || 了 || 。 | | 我们 || 把 || <em>礼物</em> || 送 || 给 || <em>客人</em> || 了 || 。 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | || 把 ||<em>盐</em> || 递 || 给 || <em>我</em> || | + | | || 把 ||<em>盐</em> || 递 || 给 || <em>我</em> || || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
| 他 || 把 || <em>房子</em> || 卖 || 给 || <em>谁</em> ||了 || ? | | 他 || 把 || <em>房子</em> || 卖 || 给 || <em>谁</em> ||了 || ? | ||
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== 把 Sentences with Complements == | == 把 Sentences with Complements == | ||
− | Because 把 sentences are all about | + | 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 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: | [[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: | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | *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 | + | *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"> | + | *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> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
− | == Forming 把 | + | == Forming 把 Sentences == |
+ | |||
+ | Since the basic structure has already been given above, we can jump right into some more exciting patterns! | ||
=== Negating 把 Sentences === | === 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 happened to the object. It would be like saying "What happened to ... was nothing." It doesn't sound natural. | + | 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:38em" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | ||
− | |+ | + | |+A few examples: |
|- | |- | ||
! Subject !! <em>Negative</em> !! 把 !! Object !! Verb Phrase !! | ! Subject !! <em>Negative</em> !! 把 !! Object !! Verb Phrase !! | ||
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| 阿姨 || <em>没有</em> || 把 || 房间 || 打扫 干净 || 。 | | 阿姨 || <em>没有</em> || 把 || 房间 || 打扫 干净 || 。 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | 我 || <em>没</em> || 把 || | + | | 我 || <em>没</em> || 把 || 钱 || 借给 他 || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
| 你们|| <em>不要</em> || 把 || 这 件 事 || 告诉 她 || 。 | | 你们|| <em>不要</em> || 把 || 这 件 事 || 告诉 她 || 。 | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | * | + | *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> | + | *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> | + | *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 < | + | *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> | </div> | ||
− | Be careful how you form questions with 把 sentences though. Remember that you have to have a definite object, and you have to describe | + | 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 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 | + | 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:43em" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:43em" | ||
− | |+ | + | |+Some examples: |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Subj. !! Adv. !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !! | + | ! Subj. !! Adv. !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !! |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>把</em> || 作业 || | + | | 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>把</em> || 作业 || || 做 完 了 || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 他 || || <em>把</em> || 咖啡 || <strong>都</strong> || 喝 完 了 || 。 | + | | 他 || || <em>把</em> || 咖啡 || <strong>都</strong> || 喝 完 了 || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 他 || <strong>已经</strong> || 把 || 钱 || || 还给 我 了 || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 我 || <strong>可能</strong> || 把 || 手机 || || 忘 在 朋友 家 了 || 。 |
|} | |} | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | 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 === | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
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− | |||
− | === 把 Sentences and Quantity | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | ||
− | |+ | + | |+Some examples: |
|- | |- | ||
! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! Noun !! Verb Phrase !! | ! Subject !! 把 !! <em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! Noun !! Verb Phrase !! | ||
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| 他 || 把 || 最后 <em>三 块</em> || 蛋糕 || 吃 完 了 || 。 | | 他 || 把 || 最后 <em>三 块</em> || 蛋糕 || 吃 完 了 || 。 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 你 || 把 || 这 <em>几 句</em> || 话 || 读 一下 || 。 |
|} | |} | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
− | [[Verb measure words]] are frequently used in 把 sentences | + | [[Verb measure words]] are frequently used in 把 sentences and come at the end of a 把 sentence. |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | {| class="wikitable" style="width:38em" | ||
− | |+ | + | |+Some examples: |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb | + | ! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !!<em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! |
|- | |- | ||
− | | || 把 || 课文 || 读 | + | | || 把 || 课文 || 读 || <em>一 遍</em> || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 她 || 把 || 这个 字 || 写 | + | | 她 || 把 || 这个 字 || 写 了 || <em>十 遍</em> || 。 |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 他 || 把 || 手机 || 摔坏 | + | | 他 || 把 || 手机 || 摔坏 过 || <em>两 三 次</em> || 。 |
|} | |} | ||
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Note that in all of these sentences, the object is something specific and definite. | Note that in all of these sentences, the object is something specific and definite. | ||
− | == | + | == QUIZ TIME! == |
+ | |||
+ | <h3 class="quiz">Ready to Check Your Mastery of 把?</h3> | ||
+ | <div class="quiz"> | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
− | + | <div class="quiz-link">[https://quizzes.allsetlearning.com/q/grammar-ba3-01/ Take the 把 Quiz!]</div> | |
− | + | </div> | |
− | + | ||
− | + | == 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 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." | |
− | + | [[Perception verb]]s: 看 (kàn) "to look at," 听 (tīng) "to listen to," 闻 (wén) "to smell," 像 (xiàng) "to resemble." | |
− | |||
− | == Other | + | == Other Uses of 把 == |
− | It's important to note that 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 | + | To demonstrate the difference, here's a sentence with both kinds of 把: |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | *请 你 <em>把</em> 那 <strong>把</strong> 伞 拿 给 我 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng <em>bǎ</em> nà <strong>bǎ</strong> sǎn ná gěi wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Please give me that umbrella.</span> | + | *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> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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=== Books === | === Books === | ||
+ | {{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|93, 101, 119}} | ||
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |461-70}} | {{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) |461-70}} | ||
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|53-4}} | {{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|53-4}} | ||
Line 290: | Line 275: | ||
[[Category:Prepositions]] | [[Category:Prepositions]] | ||
[[Category:Particles]] | [[Category:Particles]] | ||
− | {{Basic Grammar|把|B1|Subj. + | + | {{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|Aspect particles}} | ||
{{Similar|Bei sentence}} | {{Similar|Bei sentence}} |
Latest revision as of 02:55, 31 December 2021
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
- 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.
Contents
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 。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 。
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 。She put my cell phone in her bag.
- 他 把 脏 衣服 放 在 床 下面 了 。He put his dirty laundry under the bed.
- 你 是 不 是 把 护照 放 在 行李箱 里 了 ?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).
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 。I finished doing my homework.
- 老师 把 我 的 名字 读 错 了 。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 。Please take the guests inside.
- 把 我 的 眼镜 拿 过来 。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.
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 ?Did you solve that problem?
- 你 把 我 手机 放 在哪儿 了 ?Where did you put my cell phone?
- 他 把 钱 借 给 谁 了 ?Who did he lend the money to?
- 你 能不能 把 你 房间 打扫 干净 ?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.
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.
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.
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.
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 。Please give me that umbrella.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- HSK Standard Course 3 (pp. 93, 101, 119) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (pp. 461-70) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 53-4) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 159-64) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册) (pp. 167-81) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 3-5) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 142-4) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 225-7, 321-3) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 463-92) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 354-5) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 41-2, 88) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) (pp. 15, 51, 101-2) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册) (pp. 369-70, 384, 398-9) [ →buy]
Websites
- Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): 把 Construction
- CTCFL (Oxford): The 把 Construction
- ChinesePod: Qing Wen - The Magic Word 把 (free podcast content)
- ChinesePod: Qing Wen - 把 Humbug (free podcast content)
- FluentU: The Definite Guide to the Chinese Ba Construction
- Mandarin Online: 把字句
- Just Learn Chinese (blog): Lesson 10 How to understand and use Chinese sentence pattern “…把…”?