Using "ba" sentences
- Also known as: 把字句, Bǎzì Jù, Ba construction and Prepositional 把.
The 把 sentence, called 把字句 in Chinese, 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 to begin with.
Contents
How to form a 把 sentence
Basic 把 sentences
A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object (SVO) structure, as in English:
A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit and re-arranges the word order:
- Subject + 把 + Object + Verb
So you now have a SOV word order
There must be another element after the verb
Negating 把 sentences
Adverbs in 把 sentences
把 sentences and measure words
把 sentences with two objects
把 with 给
When to use a 把 sentence
- 'What did you do?' vs 'What did you do with...?'
Known object
- Definiteness
- Generic things
Disposal
Subjects and verbs for 把 sentences
Subjectless 把 sentences
Verb must indicate result
- Single character verbs can't be used alone
把 sentences and complements
- No potential complements
- Result complements prefer 把
- Direction complements prefer 把
Other rules for 把 sentences
- No 过 particle
Other uses of 把
Measure word for things with handles
Sources and further reading
Books
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 463 - 492)
- 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 461 - 470)
- 简明汉语语法学习手册 (pp. 167 - 181)
Websites
- Mandarin Essential Grammar (Yale): 把 Construction
- CTCFL (Oxford): The 把 Construction
- Mandarin Online: 把字句
