Difference between revisions of "Advanced uses of "ba""

m (Text replacement - "这 些" to "这些")
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
 
 
{{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}}
 
 
Once you've gotten the hang of the basic [["Ba" sentence|'''把 (bǎ) sentence''']] pattern, you can start to use it in some more complex and abstract ways.
 
Once you've gotten the hang of the basic [["Ba" sentence|'''把 (bǎ) sentence''']] pattern, you can start to use it in some more complex and abstract ways.
  
 
== Using 把 with 给 ==
 
== Using 把 with 给 ==
  
This [[给]] is used in oral Chinese to add emphasis to the verb. The 给 is actually fully optional, but it's good to be familiar with this pattern because it's so commonly used in spoken Chinese.
+
This [[给]] is used in oral Chinese to add emphasis to the verb. The 给 is actually fully optional, but it's good to be familiar with this pattern because it's so commonly used in spoken Chinese. You'll notice a structural similarity to this 给 used with 把, and the [[Expressing passive voice with "gei"|给 used with 被]].
 
 
You'll notice a structural similarity to this 给 used with 把, and the [[Expressing passive voice with "gei"|给 used with 被]].
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
Line 23: Line 19:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>把</em> 这 事儿 <em>给</em> 忘 了 。<span class="trans">I forgot about this thing.</span>
+
* 我 <em>把</em> 这 事儿 <em>给</em> 忘 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bǎ</em> zhè shì er <em>gěi</em> wàng le.</span><span class="trans">I forgot about this matter.</span>
* 周末 我 <em>把</em> 脏 衣服 <em>给</em> 洗 了 。<span class="trans">On weekends, I wash the dirty clothes.</span>
+
* 周末 我 <em>把</em> 脏 衣服 <em>给</em> 洗 了 。<span class="pinyin">Zhōumò wǒ <em>bǎ</em> zāng yīfu <em>gěi</em> xǐ le.</span><span class="trans">On weekends, I wash the dirty clothes.</span>
* 你 能 <em>把</em> 这些 都 <em>给</em> 记住 吗?<span class="trans">Will you be able to remember all of this?</span>
+
* 你 能 <em>把</em> 这些 都 <em>给</em> 记住 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ néng <em>bǎ</em> zhè xiē dōu <em>gěi</em> jì zhù ma?</span><span class="trans">Will you be able to memorize all of this?</span>
* 他 <em>把</em> 我的 手机 <em>给</em> 摔坏 了 。<span class="trans">He dropped my phone and broke it. </span>
+
* 他 <em>把</em> 我的 手机 <em>给</em> 摔坏 了 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> wǒ de shǒujī <em>gěi</em> shuāi huài le.</span><span class="trans">He dropped my phone and broke it.</span>
* 妈妈 <em>把</em> 没 用的 东西 都 <em>给</em> 扔了 。<span class="trans">Mom threw away all of the useless things. </span>
+
* 妈妈 <em>把</em> 没用 的 东西 都 <em>给</em> 扔了 。<span class="pinyin">Māma <em>bǎ</em> méiyòng de dōngxi dōu <em>gěi</em> rēng le.</span><span class="trans">Mom threw away all of the useless stuff.</span>
  
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Using 当作 or 看作 ==
+
== Using 当作 and 看作 ==
  
 
When you want to say that something is treated as something else, use this pattern.
 
When you want to say that something is treated as something else, use this pattern.
Line 53: Line 49:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
* 我 一直 <em>把</em> 他 <em>看作</em> 我 哥哥。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yīzhí <em>bǎ</em> tā <em>kàn zuò</em> wǒ gēge.</span><span class="trans">I have always seen him as my older brother.</span>
* 我 一直 <em>把</em> 他 <em>看作</em> 我 哥哥。<span class="trans">I always see him as my older brother.</span>
+
* 他 <em>把</em> 我家 <em>当作</em> 了 他 自己 家 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> wǒ jiā <em>dàng zuò</em> le tā zìjǐ jiā.</span><span class="trans">He treated my house like his own.</span>
* 他 <em>把</em> 我家 <em>当作</em> 了 他 自己 家 。<span class="trans">He treated my house like his own. </span>
+
* 很 多 留学生 都 <em>把</em> 自己 的 中文 老师 <em>当作</em> 朋友。<span class="pinyin">Hěn duō liúxuéshēng dōu <em>bǎ</em> zìjǐ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī <em>dàng zuò</em> péngyou.</span><span class="trans">Many foreign students treat their Chinese teachers as their friends.</span>
* 很 多 留学生 都 <em>把</em> 自己 的 中文 老师 <em>当作</em> 朋友。<span class="trans">Many study abroad students treat their Chinese teachers as their friends. </span>
+
* 孩子 可以 <em>把</em> 家里 的 很 多 小 东西 <em>当作</em> 玩具。<span class="pinyin">Háizǐ kěyǐ <em></em> jiā li de hěn duō xiǎo dōngxi <em>dàng zuò</em> wánjù.</span><span class="trans">Kids can take small things in the house and treat them as as toys.</span>
* 孩子 可以 <em>把</em> 家里 的 很多 小 东西 <em>当作</em> 玩具。<span class="trans">Kids treat small things in the house as toys. </span>
+
* 很 多 子女 <em>把</em> 父母 的 理想 <em>当作</em>了 自己 的 理想。<span class="pinyin">Hěn duō zǐnǚ <em>bǎ</em> fùmǔ de lǐxiǎng <em>dàng zuò</em> le zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng.</span><span class="trans">Many kids make their parents' ideals their own ideals.</span>
* 有的 中国 女生 会 <em></em> 喜欢 <em>当成</em> 爱 。<span class="trans"> Some Chinese girls would think about being liked as being in love. </span>
 
* 很 多 子女 <em>把</em> 父母 的 理想 <em>当作</em>了 自己 的 理想。<span class="trans">Many kids make their parents' ideals their own ideals. </span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Take something seriously with 当回事 ==
+
== Take Things Seriously with 当回事 ==
  
 
当回事 is mostly used in colloquial Chinese. It means to take something seriously or to hold something in high regard. It is usually used with the negative 不.
 
当回事 is mostly used in colloquial Chinese. It means to take something seriously or to hold something in high regard. It is usually used with the negative 不.
Line 71: Line 64:
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
(别 / 不)把 + Obj.1 + 当回事
+
(别 / 不)把 + Obj. + 当回事
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 77: Line 70:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他 从来 不 <em>把</em> 老板 的 话 <em>当回事</em>。<span class="trans">He never took what his boss said seriously. </span>
+
* 他 从来 不 <em>把</em> 老板 的 话 <em>当 回事</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā cónglái bù <em>bǎ</em> lǎobǎn de huà <em>dāng huíshì</em>.</span><span class="trans">He never takes what his boss says seriously.</span>
* 你 这个 人 总是 太 <em>把</em> 自己 <em>当回事</em> 了。<span class="trans">You take yourself too seriously. </span>
+
* 你 这个 人 总是 太 <em>把</em> 自己 <em>当 回事</em> 了。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhè ge rén zǒngshì tài <em>bǎ</em> zìjǐ <em>dāng huíshì</em> le.</span><span class="trans">You always take yourself way too seriously.</span>
* 有的 父母 从 不 <em>把</em> 孩子 的 一些 小 问题 <em>当回事</em>! <span class="trans"> Some parents never take their kids' problems seriously. </span>
+
* 有的 父母 从 不 <em>把</em> 孩子 的 一些 小 问题 <em>当 回事</em>!<span class="pinyin">Yǒu de fùmǔ cóngbù <em>bǎ</em> háizi de yīxiē xiǎo wèntí <em>dāng huíshì</em>!</span> <span class="trans"> Some parents never take their kids' minor problems seriously.</span>
* 我们 班 有 几 个 学生 从来 不<em>把</em> 老师 的 作业 <em>当回事</em>。<span class="trans"> Our class has a few students who never take the teacher's homework seriously. </span>
+
* 我们 班 有 几 个 学生 从来 不<em>把</em> 老师 的 作业 <em>当 回事</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen bān yǒu jǐ gè xuéshēng cónglái bù <em>bǎ</em> lǎoshī de zuòyè <em>dāng huíshì</em>.</span><span class="trans"> Our class has a few students who never take the teacher's homework seriously.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 98: Line 91:
 
=== Concrete Verb Examples ===
 
=== Concrete Verb Examples ===
  
In the first example, we are using concrete verbs such as 切, 做, 分, etc. Obj. 2 would also be concrete.
+
In the first example, we are using concrete verbs such as 切, 做, 分, etc. on Obj. 1. Naturally, the resulting Obj. 2 should also be concrete.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 请 你 <em>把</em> 这个 蛋糕 <em>切成</em>六块。<span class="trans">Please cut the cake into six parts.</span>
+
* 请 你 <em>把</em> 这个 蛋糕 <em>切 成</em>六块。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng nǐ <em>bǎ</em> zhège dàngāo <em>qiē chéng</em> liù kuài.</span><span class="trans">Please cut the cake into six parts.</span>
* 我 知道 怎么 <em>把</em> 图片 <em>做成</em>视频。<span class="trans">I know how to make this picture into a video. </span>
+
* 我 知道 怎么 <em>把</em> 图片 <em>做 成</em>视频。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zhīdào zěnme <em>bǎ</em> túpiàn <em>zuò chéng</em> shìpín.</span><span class="trans">I know how to make this picture into a video.</span>
* 老师 <em>把</em> 全班 同学 <em>分成</em>了 三个 小组。<span class="trans">The teacher broke the whole class' students up into three small groups. </span>
+
* 老师 <em>把</em> 全班 同学 <em>分 成</em>了 三个 小组。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī <em>bǎ</em> quán bān tóngxué <em>fēn chéng</em> le sān gè xiǎozǔ.</span><span class="trans">The teacher divided the whole class of students up into three groups.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 110: Line 103:
 
===Abstract Verb Examples ===
 
===Abstract Verb Examples ===
  
In the example below, we are dealing with more abstract verbs. These verbs include 换, 变, 改, 看, 当, 转, etc.
+
In the example below, we are dealing with more abstract objects and verbs. These verbs include 换, 变, 改, 看, 当, 转, etc.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
* 我 每个 月 都 要 <em>把</em> 这些 美元 <em>换 成</em>人民币。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ měi gè yuè dōu yào <em>bǎ</em> zhèxiē Měiyuán <em>huàn chéng</em> Rénmínbì.</span><span class="trans">Every month, I have to convert this USD into RMB.</span>
* 我 每个 月 都 要 <em>把</em> 这些 美元 <em>换成</em>人民币。<span class="trans">Every month, I have to convert some USD into RMB. </span>
+
* 他 <em>把</em> 自己 的 家 <em>改 成</em> 了 他的 工作室。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bǎ</em> zìjǐ de jiā <em>gǎi chéng</em> le tā de gōngzuò shì.</span><span class="trans">She converted her house into her workspace.</span>
* 他 <em>把</em> 自己 的 家 <em>换成</em>了 他的 工作室。<span class="trans">She converted her house into her workspace. </span>
+
* 你 能 <em>把</em> 这个 文件 的 格式 <em>转 成</em> PDF 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ néng <em>bǎ</em> zhè ge wénjiàn de géshì <em>zhuǎn chéng</em> PDF ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you convert this file format into a PDF?</span>
* 你 能 <em>把</em> 这个 文件 的 格式<em>转成</em>PDF吗?<span class="trans">Can you convert this file into a PDF. </span>
+
* 韩国 政府 <em>把</em> “汉城” <em>改 成</em>了 “首尔”。<span class="pinyin"> Hánguó zhèngfǔ <em>bǎ</em> “Hanchéng” <em>gǎi chéng</em> le “Shǒu'ěr”.</span><span class="trans">The South Korean government changed the capital name from "Hanseong" to "Seoul."</span>
* 韩国 政府 <em>把</em> “汉城” <em>改成</em>了 “首尔”。<span class="trans">The South Korean government changed the capital name from Hanseong to Seoul. </span>
+
* 请 你 <em>把</em> 这些 句子 <em>翻译 成</em> 中文 。<span class="pinyin">Qǐng nǐ <em>bǎ</em> zhèxiē jùzi <em>fānyì chéng</em> Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">Please translate these sentences into Chinese.</span>
* 请 你 <em>把</em>这些 句子<em>翻译成</em>中文。<span class="trans">Please translate these sentences into Chinese. </span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 127: Line 118:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 +
把 + Obj. 1 + Perception Verb + 成 + Obj. 2
 +
</div>
  
把 + Obj. 1 + Perception Verbs
+
So Obj. 1 is the actual thing, and Obj. 2 is what it is mistaken for.
 
 
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
+
* 他 <em>把</em> “太“ <em>看 成</em> 了 “大”。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bā</em> “tài” <em>kàn chéng</em> le “dà”.</span><span class="trans">He misread 太 as 大.</span>
* 他 <em>把</em> “太“ <em>看成</em>了“大”。<span class="trans">He saw 太 as 大. </span>
+
* 你 刚才 <em>把</em> “政府” <em>读 成</em> 了 “丈夫” 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ gāngcái <em>bǎ</em> "zhèngfǔ" <em>dú chéng</em> le "zhàngfu".</span><span class="trans">Just now you misread "zhèngfǔ" as "zhàngfu".</span>
* 你 刚才 <em>把</em> “政府” <em>读成</em>了 “丈夫” 。<span class="trans">Just now you read 政府 as 丈夫.</span>
+
* 我 常常 <em>把</em> “自己” 的 “己” <em>写 成</em> “已经” 的 “已”。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ chángcháng <em>bǎ</em> "zìjǐ" de "jǐ" <em>xiě chéng</em> "yǐjīng" de "yǐ".</span><span class="trans">I often write the 己 in 自己 like the 已 in 已经.</span>
* 我 常常 <em>把</em> “自己” 的 “己” <em>写成</em>“已经” 的 “已”。<span class="trans">Just now you read 政府 as 丈夫.</span>
+
* 你 是 不 是 <em>把</em> “派对” <em>听 成</em> 了 “排队”?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì bu shì <em></em> "pàiduì" <em>tīng chéng</em> le "páiduì"?</span><span class="trans">Did you mishear "party" as "wait in line"?</span>
* 你 是不是 <em>把</em> “派对” <em>听成</em>了 “排队”?<span class="trans">Just now you read 派对 as 排队.</span>
 
* 对不起,我 <em></em> 早上的面试 <em>记成</em>了下午。<span class="trans">Sorry, I wrote the morning interview down for this afternoon. </span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 153: Line 141:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) ]] (pp. 469-70) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)|469-70}}
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 53-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|53-4}}
* [[Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册)]] (pp. 167-81) [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 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese Grammar Without Tears (简明汉语语法学习手册)|167-81}}
* [[Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)]] (pp. 3-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7802006473/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7802006473 →buy]
+
{{Source|Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例)|3-5}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 142-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|142-4}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (pp. 225-7, 321-3) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2|225-7, 321-3}}
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 482) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|482}}
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 354-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
+
{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|354-5}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) ]] (pp. 41-2, 88) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561911297/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561911297 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) |41-2, 88}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) ]] (pp. 15, 51, 101-2) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3) |15, 51, 101-2}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)]] (pp. 369-70, 384, 398-9)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)|369-70, 384, 398-9}}
 +
{{Source|卓越汉语-公司实战篇|128}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
Line 178: Line 167:
 
[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
{{Rel char|}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|把|B2|把 + Noun + Verb⋯⋯|我 没有 <em>把</em> 它 当回事。|grammar point|ASGQRS3P}}
 +
{{Rel char|给}}
 +
{{Rel char|当}}
 +
{{Rel char|成}}
 +
{{Similar|Using "ba" sentences}}
 
{{Similar|Aspect particles}}
 
{{Similar|Aspect particles}}
 
{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Bei sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Direction complement}}
 
{{Similar|Direction complement}}
{{Basic Grammar|把|B2|把 + Noun + Verb⋯⋯|我 没有 <em>把</em> 它 当回事。|grammar point|ASGQRS3P}}
 
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing passive voice}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing passive voice}}
 
{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}

Latest revision as of 04:01, 18 January 2021

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

Once you've gotten the hang of the basic 把 (bǎ) sentence pattern, you can start to use it in some more complex and abstract ways.

Using 把 with 给

This is used in oral Chinese to add emphasis to the verb. The 给 is actually fully optional, but it's good to be familiar with this pattern because it's so commonly used in spoken Chinese. You'll notice a structural similarity to this 给 used with 把, and the 给 used with 被.

Structure

Subj. + 把 + Obj. + 给 + Verb Phrase

Examples

  • 这 事儿 忘 了 。 zhè shì er gěi wàng le.I forgot about this matter.
  • 周末 我 脏 衣服 洗 了 。Zhōumò wǒ zāng yīfu gěi xǐ le.On weekends, I wash the dirty clothes.
  • 你 能 这些 都 记住 吗?Nǐ néng zhè xiē dōu gěi jì zhù ma?Will you be able to memorize all of this?
  • 我的 手机 摔坏 了 。 wǒ de shǒujī gěi shuāi huài le.He dropped my phone and broke it.
  • 妈妈 没用 的 东西 都 扔了 。Māma méiyòng de dōngxi dōu gěi rēng le.Mom threw away all of the useless stuff.


Using 当作 and 看作

When you want to say that something is treated as something else, use this pattern.

Structure

+ Obj.+ 当成 / 看成 / 当作 / 看作 +⋯⋯

So what's the difference between using 当成 / 看成 / 当作 / 看作? Good question. The differences are not huge, but there are a few:

  1. The 成 versions are a bit less formal than the 作 versions.
  2. 看成 / 看作 is often followed by a person or specific thing, whereas 当成 / 当作 is more likely to be followed by something more abstract (like 爱).
  3. The 成 / 作 part of 当成 / 当作 can be dropped in spoken Chinese, whereas the 成 / 作 part of 看成 / 看作 can never be dropped.

Examples

  • 我 一直 看作 我 哥哥。Wǒ yīzhí kàn zuò wǒ gēge.I have always seen him as my older brother.
  • 我家 当作 了 他 自己 家 。 wǒ jiā dàng zuò le tā zìjǐ jiā.He treated my house like his own.
  • 很 多 留学生 都 自己 的 中文 老师 当作 朋友。Hěn duō liúxuéshēng dōu zìjǐ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī dàng zuò péngyou.Many foreign students treat their Chinese teachers as their friends.
  • 孩子 可以 家里 的 很 多 小 东西 当作 玩具。Háizǐ kěyǐ jiā li de hěn duō xiǎo dōngxi dàng zuò wánjù.Kids can take small things in the house and treat them as as toys.
  • 很 多 子女 父母 的 理想 当作了 自己 的 理想。Hěn duō zǐnǚ fùmǔ de lǐxiǎng dàng zuò le zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng.Many kids make their parents' ideals their own ideals.

Take Things Seriously with 当回事

当回事 is mostly used in colloquial Chinese. It means to take something seriously or to hold something in high regard. It is usually used with the negative 不.

Structure

(别 / 不)把 + Obj. + 当回事

  • 他 从来 不 老板 的 话 当 回事Tā cónglái bù lǎobǎn de huà dāng huíshì.He never takes what his boss says seriously.
  • 你 这个 人 总是 太 自己 当 回事 了。Nǐ zhè ge rén zǒngshì tài zìjǐ dāng huíshì le.You always take yourself way too seriously.
  • 有的 父母 从 不 孩子 的 一些 小 问题 当 回事!Yǒu de fùmǔ cóngbù háizi de yīxiē xiǎo wèntí dāng huíshì! Some parents never take their kids' minor problems seriously.
  • 我们 班 有 几 个 学生 从来 不 老师 的 作业 当 回事Wǒmen bān yǒu jǐ gè xuéshēng cónglái bù lǎoshī de zuòyè dāng huíshì. Our class has a few students who never take the teacher's homework seriously.

Using 把 with a verb + 成

In this case, 成 can be translated as "into."

Structure

把 + Obj. 1 + Verb + 成 + Obj. 2

Concrete Verb Examples

In the first example, we are using concrete verbs such as 切, 做, 分, etc. on Obj. 1. Naturally, the resulting Obj. 2 should also be concrete.

  • 请 你 这个 蛋糕 切 成六块。Qǐng nǐ zhège dàngāo qiē chéng liù kuài.Please cut the cake into six parts.
  • 我 知道 怎么 图片 做 成视频。Wǒ zhīdào zěnme túpiàn zuò chéng shìpín.I know how to make this picture into a video.
  • 老师 全班 同学 分 成了 三个 小组。Lǎoshī quán bān tóngxué fēn chéng le sān gè xiǎozǔ.The teacher divided the whole class of students up into three groups.

Abstract Verb Examples

In the example below, we are dealing with more abstract objects and verbs. These verbs include 换, 变, 改, 看, 当, 转, etc.

  • 我 每个 月 都 要 这些 美元 换 成人民币。Wǒ měi gè yuè dōu yào zhèxiē Měiyuán huàn chéng Rénmínbì.Every month, I have to convert this USD into RMB.
  • 自己 的 家 改 成 了 他的 工作室。 zìjǐ de jiā gǎi chéng le tā de gōngzuò shì.She converted her house into her workspace.
  • 你 能 这个 文件 的 格式 转 成 PDF 吗?Nǐ néng zhè ge wénjiàn de géshì zhuǎn chéng PDF ma?Can you convert this file format into a PDF?
  • 韩国 政府 “汉城” 改 成了 “首尔”。 Hánguó zhèngfǔ “Hanchéng” gǎi chéng le “Shǒu'ěr”.The South Korean government changed the capital name from "Hanseong" to "Seoul."
  • 请 你 这些 句子 翻译 成 中文 。Qǐng nǐ zhèxiē jùzi fānyì chéng Zhōngwén.Please translate these sentences into Chinese.

Mistaken Perception Examples

The example below is when somebody mistakes something for something else. This can be either mishearing, misspelling, seeing something as something else, etc. These verbs include 看, 听, 写, 记, etc.

把 + Obj. 1 + Perception Verb + 成 + Obj. 2

So Obj. 1 is the actual thing, and Obj. 2 is what it is mistaken for.

  • “太“ 看 成 了 “大”。 “tài” kàn chéng le “dà”.He misread 太 as 大.
  • 你 刚才 “政府” 读 成 了 “丈夫” 。Nǐ gāngcái "zhèngfǔ" dú chéng le "zhàngfu".Just now you misread "zhèngfǔ" as "zhàngfu".
  • 我 常常 “自己” 的 “己” 写 成 “已经” 的 “已”。Wǒ chángcháng "zìjǐ" de "jǐ" xiě chéng "yǐjīng" de "yǐ".I often write the 己 in 自己 like the 已 in 已经.
  • 你 是 不 是 “派对” 听 成 了 “排队”?Nǐ shì bu shì "pàiduì" tīng chéng le "páiduì"?Did you mishear "party" as "wait in line"?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

HSK5