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 '''把 (bǎ) 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.
+
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] + <strong>Obj.</strong>
+
Subj. + [Verb Phrase] + Obj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 把 + <strong>Obj.</strong> + [Verb Phrase]
+
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 hell 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:
+
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> 。<span class="expl">"Put the book on the table."</span><span class="pinyin"><em>Bǎ</em> <strong>shū</strong> fàng <strong>zài</strong> zhuōzi <strong>shàng</strong>.</span>
+
*<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 only problem is that the above 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.
+
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 his bed.</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 or not?</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>
 
</div>
  
== Notes about ==
+
For each of these, the sentence would be ungrammatical if you tried to do away with the and put the object right after the verb.
  
* The object is known. (It's already been mentioned or discussed previously.)
+
== Key Things to Keep in Mind When Using 把 ==
* 把字句 is often used to describe what happened to the object in some detail (it's not just a "bare" verb; there's "more stuff" after the verb). You will also hear it from people when they try to ask for a favor or make a request.
+
 
 +
* 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 for certain verbs, however, you can have two objects in a 把 sentence. Their use in a 把 sentence will also involve [[prepositions]].
+
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> || ||
+
|&nbsp;|| 把 ||<em>盐</em> || 递 || 给 || <em>我</em> ||&nbsp;||
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 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 disposal, and [[complements]] in Mandarin often handle this issue, it's good to be aware of how these two grammar features interact.
+
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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*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>
 
*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">Lǎowhī <em>bǎ</em> wǒ de míngzì dú <strong>cuò</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">The teacher read my name wrong.</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>
  
 
</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 sentences ==
+
== 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"
|+Negating 把 sentences
+
|+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 || || 借给 他 || 。
+
| 我 || <em>没</em> || 把 || || 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 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>bǎ</em> <strong>nàge wèntí</strong> jiějué le ma?</span><span class="trans">Did you solve that problem?</span>
+
*你们 <em>把</em> <strong>那个 问题</strong> 解决 了 ?<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 de shǒujī</strong> fàng zài nǎr le?</span><span class="trans">Where did you put my cell phone?</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>
 
*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>
 
*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>
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</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 the disposal of that object. A question form could easily get in the way of one of these conditions.
+
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. 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 咖啡 to make "He finished all the coffee".
+
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"
|+把 sentences with adverbs
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
! Subj. !! Adv. !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !!
+
! Subj. !! Adv. !! <em>把</em> !! Object !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !! &nbsp;
 
|-
 
|-
| 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>把</em> || 作业 || <em></em> || 做 完 了 || 。
+
| 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>把</em> || 作业 || &nbsp; || 做 完 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
| 他 || || <em>把</em> || 咖啡 || <strong>都</strong> || 喝 完 了 || 。
+
| 他 || &nbsp; || <em>把</em> || 咖啡 || <strong>都</strong> || 喝 完 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
| || <strong>可能</strong> || 把 || 手机 || || 忘 在 朋友 家 了 || 。
+
| || <strong>已经</strong> || 把 || || &nbsp; || 还给 我 了 ||
 
|-
 
|-
| || <strong>终于</strong> || 把 || || || 还给 我 了 ||
+
| || <strong>可能</strong> || 把 || 手机 || &nbsp; || 忘 在 朋友 家 了 || 。
 
|}
 
|}
 
</div>
 
</div>
(Note the subtle difference in meaning between the first two sentences.)
 
 
=== 把 Sentences with Aspect Particles ===
 
 
The particles 了 and 着 can both be used with 把 constructions, while 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.
 
  
了 and 着, though, can be used to indicate that the disposal of the object is complete or ongoing, respectively.
+
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".
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== 把 Sentences and Quantity Phrases ===
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:42em"
 
|+把 sentences and aspect particles
 
|-
 
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !! <em>Aspect particle</em> !!
 
|-
 
| || 把 || 你 的 电脑  || 带 || <em>着</em> || 。
 
|-
 
| || 把 || 门  || 开 || <em>着</em> || 。
 
|-
 
| 我 || 把 || 这件事 || 忘 || <em>了</em> || 。
 
|-
 
| 她 || 把 || 垃圾 || 扔 || <em>了</em> || 。
 
|}
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== 把 Sentences and Quantity Phrase ===
 
  
 
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"
|+Examples
+
|+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 || 。
+
| 你 || 把 || 这 <em>几 句</em> || 话 || 读 一下 || 。
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
[[Verb measure words]] are frequently used in 把 sentences, and come at the end of a 把 sentence.
+
[[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"
|+Examples
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !!<em>Quantity Phrase</em> !!
+
! Subject !! 把 !! Object !! Verb !!<em>Quantity Phrase</em> !! &nbsp;
 
|-
 
|-
| || 把 || 课文 || 读 || <em>一 遍</em> || 。
+
| &nbsp;|| 把 || 课文 || 读 || <em>一 遍</em> || 。
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 她 || 把 || 这个 字 || 写 了 || <em>十 遍</em> || 。
 
| 她 || 把 || 这个 字 || 写 了 || <em>十 遍</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 ==
 
== Verbs for 把 Sentences ==
  
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:
+
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
+
[[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."
** 爱 (ài) to love
 
** 喜欢 (xǐhuan) to like
 
** 想  (xiǎng) to miss
 
** 了解 (liǎojiě) to know
 
** 害怕 (hàipà) to fear
 
** 恨 (hèn ) to hate
 
  
* Perception verbs
+
[[Perception verb]]s: 看 (kàn) "to look at," 听 (tīng) "to listen to," 闻 (wén) "to smell," 像 (xiàng) "to resemble."
** 看 (kàn)
 
** 听 (tīng)
 
** 闻 (wén)
 
** 像 (xiàng)
 
  
== Other Use of 把 ==
+
== 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 一把伞, 一把枪 and 一把椅子. So, you've got to look at how 把 is being used in a sentence before you can understand its meaning.
+
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 in:
+
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 <em>bǎ</em> nà <strong>bǎ</strong> sǎn ná gěi wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Please give me that umbrella.</span>
 
</div>
 
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
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{{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}}  
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[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Prepositions]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
{{Basic Grammar|把|B1|Subj. + <strong>把 + Obj.</strong> + Verb Phrase|我 <em>把 书</em> 看 完 了。|grammar point|ASG2UB2B}}
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{{HSK|HSK3}}
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{{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

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:

  • 桌子 shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.Put the book on the table.

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

  • 在 桌子 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.

  • 我 的 手机 她 的 包 了 。 wǒ de shǒujī fàng zài tā de bāo le.She put my cell phone in her bag.
  • 脏 衣服下面 了 。 zāng yīfu fàng zài chuáng xiàmiàn le.He put his dirty laundry under the bed.
  • 你 是 不 是 护照 行李箱 了 ?Nǐ shì bu shì hùzhào fàng zài xínglixiāng 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 Object 1 Verb Preposition Object 2
我们 礼物 客人
   
房子
介绍 我 老板

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:

  • 作业 做 了 。 zuòyè zuò wán le.I finished doing my homework.
  • 老师 我 的 名字 读 了 。Lǎoshī 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:

  • 客人 带 进去Qǐng kèrén dài jìnqù.Please take the guests inside.
  • 我 的 眼镜 拿 过来 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 Object Verb Phrase
阿姨 没有 房间 打扫 干净
借给 他
你们 不要 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 那个 问题 解决 了 吗 ?Nǐmen nàge wèntí jiějué le ma?Did you solve that problem?
  • 我 手机 放 在哪儿 了 ? wǒ shǒujī fàng zài nǎr le?Where did you put my cell phone?
  • 借 给 谁 了 ? qián jiè gěi shéi le?Who did he lend the money to?
  • 你 能不能 你 房间 打扫 干净 ?Nǐ néng bu néng 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. Object Adv. Verb Phrase  
我们 作业   做 完 了
  咖啡 喝 完 了
已经   还给 我 了
可能 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 Quantity Phrase Noun Verb Phrase
两 件 脏 衣服 洗 干净 了
最后 三 块 蛋糕 吃 完 了
几 句 读 一下

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

Some examples:
Subject Object Verb Quantity Phrase  
  课文 一 遍
这个 字 写 了 十 遍
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 伞 拿 给 我 。Qǐng nǐ sǎn ná gěi wǒ.Please give me that umbrella.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites