Advanced uses of "ba"

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 and a verb

Used in oral Chinese to add emphasis when dealing with something.

Subj. + 把 + Obj. + 给 + Verb Phrase

  • 这 事儿 忘 了 。I forgot about this thing.
  • 周末 我 脏 衣服 洗 了 。On weekends, I wash the dirty clothes.
  • 你 能 这 些 都 记住 吗?Will you be able to remember all of this?


Using 当作 or 看作

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

+ Obj.+ 当作 / 看作 + something else

  • 当作 我 哥哥。I see him as my older brother.

Take something seriously

(别/不)把 + Obj.1 + 当回事

Verb +成

In this case, 成 can be translated as "into." The first example of this is for concrete objects.

把+ Obj. 1 + Verb (切/做/分/打扮) + 成 +Obj. 2

In the example below, we are dealing with more abstract verbs.

把 + Obj. 1 + Verb (换/变/改/看/当/转/转换/翻译/说) + 成 + Obj. 2

The example below is when somebody mistakes something for something else. This can be either mishearing, misspelling, seeing something as something else, etc.

把+ Obj. 1 + Perception Verbs (看/听/写/记)

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

HSK5