Difference between revisions of "Using "bei" sentences"
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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Bei Sentences, which are called 被字句 (bèizìjù) in Chinese, are a key way to express the [[Passive voice|passive]] in modern Mandarin Chinese.  In passive sentences, the ''object'' of an action becomes the subject of the sentence, and what would have been the subject of the normal (active voice) sentence, the "doer" of the action, becomes secondary, and may or may not be included in the passive sentence.
+
被 (bèi) sentences, which are called 被字句 (bèizìjù) in Chinese, are a key way to express the [[passive voice]] in modern Mandarin Chinese.  In passive sentences, the ''object'' of an action becomes the subject of the sentence, and the "doer" of the action, which would have been the subject of the normal (active voice) sentence, becomes secondary and may or may not be mentioned in the passive sentence.
  
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== What is a 被 sentence ==
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== What is a 被 sentence? ==
  
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被 sentences (被字句 in Chinese) are simply sentences which use a [[Passive voice|passive]] verb and the preposition 被. 被 sentences are not the only way to create the passive verb form in Chinese, but they are the most common, and definitely the type to tackle first.
+
被 (bèi) sentences are simply sentences which use a [[Passive voice|passive]] verb and the word 被. 被 sentences are not the only way to create the passive verb form in Chinese, but they are the most common and definitely the type to tackle first.
  
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For the sake of clarity, let's give some examples of the passive in English first:
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For the sake of clarity, take these sentences for example:
−
 
 
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* The boy '''ate''' the hot dog. <span class="expl">normal sentence in the active voice; note that "the hot dog" is the object of the verb "ate")</span>
 
−
* The hot dog '''was eaten''' by the boy. <span class="expl">the same sentence in the passive voice; "the hot dog" is now the subject, and "the boy" is the "doer")</span>
 
−
* The hot dog '''was eaten'''. <span class="expl">also in the passive voice, but with the "doer" omitted)</span>
 
−
 
 
−
Now let's see those same sentences in Chinese:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 男孩 吃 了 <strong>热狗</strong> 。<span class="expl">the original sentence)</span>
+
*男孩 吃 了 <strong>热狗</strong> 。<span class="expl">active voice sentence: "the hot dog" is the object of the verb "ate"</span><span class="pinyin"> Nánhái chī le <strong>règǒu</strong> .</span><span class="trans">The boy ate the hot dog.</span>
−
* <strong>热狗</strong> <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 了 。<span class="expl">the passive sentence)</span>
+
*<strong>热狗</strong> <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 了 。<span class="expl">"the hot dog" is now the subject, and "the boy" is the "doer"</span><span class="pinyin"><strong>Règǒu</strong> <em>bèi</em> nánhái chī le.</span><span class="trans">The hot dog was eaten by the boy. </span>
−
* <strong>热狗</strong> <em>被</em> 吃 了 。<span class="expl">the passive sentence, with no "doer")</span>
+
*<strong>热狗</strong> <em>被</em> 吃 了 。<span class="expl">passive voice with the "doer" omitted</span><span class="pinyin"><strong>Règǒu</strong> <em>bèi</em> chī le.</span><span class="trans">The hot dog was eaten.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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== Why use them? ==
 
== Why use them? ==
  
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Passive sentences are used for several main reasons<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=sinosplice-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide], Section 17.3, "Conditions for using the passive in Mandarin"</ref>:
+
First, passive sentences indicate that one has been negatively affected. For example:
−
 
 
−
<ol>
 
−
<li>To indicate that one has been negatively affected.
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*<span class="liju">他 <em>被</em> 打 了 。</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> dǎ le.</span><span class="trans">He was beaten.</span>
 +
</div>
  
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* <span class="liju">他 <em>被</em> 开除 了 。</span> <span class="trans">He got fired.</span>
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Second, passive sentences shift emphasis from the "doer" of the action to the one affected by that action. For example:
−
 
 
−
</div></li>
 
−
 
 
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<li>To shift emphasis from the "doer" of the action to the one affected by that action.
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*<span class="liju">你 <em>被</em> 公司 炒鱿鱼 了 ？</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bèi</em> gōngsī chǎo yóuyú le?</span><span class="trans">You got fired by the company?</span>
 +
</div>
  
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*他 肯定 会 <em>被</em> 开除 。 <span class="trans">He will definitely get fired.</span>
+
Third, passive sentences allow one to avoid having to mention the "doer" of the action, either because it is unknown, or for other reasons. For example:
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−
</div></li>
 
−
 
 
−
<li>To avoid having to mention the "doer" of the action, either because it is unknown, or for other reasons.
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
*<span class="liju">我 的 手机 <em>被</em> 偷 了 。</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ de shǒujī <em>bèi</em> tōu le.</span><span class="trans">My cell phone got stolen.</span>
 +
</div>
  
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*他 <em>被</em> 开除 了 。 <span class="trans">I have been fired (but I'm not saying who fired me, probably because it's obvious).</span>
+
== How to Use 被 Sentences ==
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*你 做 的 事 <em>被</em> 发现 了 。 <span class="trans">You got caught for what you did (but I'm not saying who found it, probably because it's obvious).</span>
 
−
 
 
−
</div></li>
 
−
</ol>
 
−
 
 
−
== How to use them ==
 
  
 
Normal use of 被 has a few preconditions:
 
Normal use of 被 has a few preconditions:
  
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# The verb to be used with 被 needs to have an object (this will become the new subject of the 被 sentence).  Verbs that take objects are called ''transitive verbs''.
+
# The verb to be used with 被 needs to have an object (this will become the new subject of the 被 sentence).  Verbs that take objects are called [[transitive verb]]s.
 
# If you're going to state ''who the verb was done by'' (the "doer"), then the subject doing the original action must be known.
 
# If you're going to state ''who the verb was done by'' (the "doer"), then the subject doing the original action must be known.
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# The verb can't be too simple (for example, a one-character verb like 吃).  Put simply, ''something needs to come after the verb''. That "something" can be a particle, a complement, or sometimes even an additional object.
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# The verb can't be too simple (for example, a one-character verb like 吃).  Put simply, ''something needs to come after the verb''. That "something" can be a particle like 了, a complement, or sometimes even an additional object.
  
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=== Forming a 被 Sentence with a doer ===
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=== Structure ===
−
 
 
−
Let's use our example above to show how the process works:
 
−
 
 
−
<div class="liju">
 
−
 
 
−
* 男孩 吃 了 热狗 。<span class="trans">The boy ate the hot dog.</span>
 
  
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 被 (+ Doer) + Verb + 了
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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In this sentence, "the boy" is the subject. The verb is 吃, "to eat," but ''it needs something else after it'', which is 了 in this case.  The object is 热狗, "the hot dog."
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=== Examples ===
−
 
 
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This sentence meets all the preconditions.  Now all you need to do is introduce the preposition 被 and move the parts of the sentence around a bit:
 
−
 
 
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# The object is 热狗.  Move that to the front; it's the new subject in the 被 sentence.
 
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# Add 被 after the subject, then insert what was previously the subject  (It's now the ''doer''.)
 
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# Finish off with the verb phrase 吃了.  (Don't forget to include the part that comes after the verb!)
 
  
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So the new 被 sentence is:
+
被 sentences with a doer:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 热狗 <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 了 。<span class="trans">The hot dog was eaten by the boy.</span>
+
*我 <em>被</em> <strong>他</strong> 骗 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bèi</em> <strong>tā</strong> piàn <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">I was deceived by him.</span>
−
 
+
*他 <em>被</em> <strong>警察</strong> 抓 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> <strong>jǐngchá</strong> zhuā <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He was caught by the police.</span>
−
</div>
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*他 <em>被</em> <strong>父母</strong> 骂 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> <strong>fùmǔ</strong> mà <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He was scolded by his parents.</span>
−
 
 
−
<div class="jiegou">
 
−
 
 
−
Subj. + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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Here's a table illustrating the process of converting a regular sentence into a 被 sentence:
+
被 sentences without a doer:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:39em"
+
*我 的 车 <em>被</em> 撞 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de chē <em>bèi</em> zhuàng <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">My car was hit.</span>
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|+Creating a 被 sentence from a normal sentence
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*他们 做 的 坏事 <em>被</em> 发现 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen zuò de huàishì <em>bèi</em> fāxiàn <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The bad things they've done were discovered.</span>
−
|-
+
*文件 <em>被</em> 删 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Wénjiàn <em>bèi</em> shān <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The files were deleted.</span>
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!  !!  !! Subj. !! Verb Phrase !! Obj. !! 
 
−
|-
 
−
|  ||  || 男孩 || 吃了 || <strong>热狗</strong> || 。
 
−
|-
 
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! Subj. !!  !! Doer !! Verb Phrase !!  !!
 
−
|-
 
−
| <strong>热狗</strong> || <em>被</em> || 男孩 || 吃了 || || 。
 
−
|}
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
=== Common Mistakes ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
 
+
<ul>
−
* 男孩 吃 了 <strong>热狗</strong> 。<span class="expl">the original sentence)</span>
+
<li class="x">咖啡 <em>被</em> 我 喝 。<span class="expl">Remember: you need SOMEthing after the verb.</span><span class="pinyin">Kāfēi <em>bèi</em> wǒ hē.</span></li>
−
* <strong>热狗</strong> <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 了 。<span class="expl">the passive 被 sentence)</span>
+
<li class="o">咖啡 <em>被</em> 我 喝 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Kāfēi <em>bèi</em> wǒ hē <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The coffee was drunk by me.</span></li>
−
 
+
<li class="o">咖啡 <em>被</em> 我 喝 <strong>完 了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Kāfēi <em>bèi</em> wǒ hē <strong>wán le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">The coffee was finished by me.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
−
 
−
=== Forming a 被 Sentence with No "Doer" ===
 
−
 
−
If we want to, we can also omit the "doer" (男孩) and say:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
 
+
<ul>
−
* 热狗 <em>被</em> 吃 了 。<span class="trans">The hot dog was eaten.</span>
+
<li class="x">他 <em>被</em> 打 。<span class="expl">Remember: you need SOMEthing after the verb.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> dǎ.</span></li>
−
 
+
<li class="o">他 <em>被</em> 打 <strong>了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> dǎ <strong>le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He was beaten.</span></li>
 +
<li class="o">他 <em>被</em> 打 <strong>伤 了</strong> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> dǎ <strong>shāng le</strong>.</span><span class="trans">He was beaten and wounded.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
<div class="jiegou">
+
== Forming 被 Sentences ==
  
−
Subj. + 被 + Verb Phrase
+
You know the basic pattern already, so it's time to go deeper...
  
−
</div>
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=== Negating 被 Sentences ===
  
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Let's take a closer look at how you build this kind of sentence.
+
There's just one other complication. What if you want to make a sentence in the ''negative''? To negate a 被 sentence, you need to insert 没 or 没有 (past) directly in front of 被. For the present and future, use 不.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
−
 
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:38em"
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:39em"
+
|+Some examples:
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|+Creating a 被 sentence with no "doer"
 
−
|-
 
−
!  !!  !! Subj. !! Verb Phrase !! Obj. !! 
 
 
|-
 
|-
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|  ||  || <strong>男孩</strong> || 吃了 || 热狗 || 。
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! Doer !! <em>Negative</em> !! 被 !! Subject !! Verb Phrase !!
 
|-
 
|-
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! Subj. !!  !! Doer !! Verb Phrase !!  !!
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| 他 || <em>没有</em> || 被 || &nbsp; || 打伤 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
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| <strong>热狗</strong> || <em>被</em> || <strong>男孩</strong> || 吃了 || || 。
+
| 他 || <em>没</em> || 被 || &nbsp; ||炒鱿鱼 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| <strong>热狗</strong> || <em>被</em> ||   || 吃了 || || 。
+
| 她 的 想法 || <em>不</em> || 被 || 父母 || 理解 || 。
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
<div class="liju">
+
=== Question Forms of 被 Sentences ===
  
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* <strong>男孩</strong> 吃 了 热狗 。 <span class="expl">the original sentence)</span>
+
You can make 被 sentences into questions in the usual three ways to form questions in Mandarin:
−
* 热狗 <em>被</em> <strong>男孩</strong> 吃 了 。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence)</span>
 
−
* 热狗 <em>被</em> 吃 了 。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence, with no "doer")</span>
 
  
−
</div>
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* With a question particle
 +
* With a question word
 +
* With positive-negative verbs
  
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=== Forming a Negative 被 Sentence ===
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Some examples:
  
−
There's just one other complication.  What if you want to make a sentence in the ''negative''?  For example, continuing with our wonderful theme, if you wanted to say:
+
<div class="liju">
  
−
* The hot dog '''was not eaten''' by the boy.
+
*那些 书 <em>被</em> 借 <strong>走 了</strong> 吗 ？<span class="pinyin">Nàxiē shū <em>bèi</em> jiè <strong>zǒu le</strong> ma?</span><span class="trans">Have those books been borrowed?</span>
 +
*他 <em>被</em> 谁 打 <strong>的</strong> ？<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bèi</em> shéi dǎ <strong>de</strong>?</span><span class="trans">Who was he beaten by? </span>
 +
*你 是不是 <em>被</em> 公司 炒鱿鱼 <strong>了</strong> ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì bu shì <em>bèi</em> gōngsī chǎo yóuyú <strong>le</strong>?</span><span class="trans">Did you get fired by the company or not?</span>
  
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In this case, the negative adverb 没有 needs to be inserted ''before the 被''<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=sinosplice-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide], Section 17.2, "The passive and negation"</ref>, and the verb still needs something after it, which in this case is 掉. (We're using 掉, which adds a meaning of "totally" to the verb, because you don't use 了 when you use 没有 to negate.) This is what we get:
+
</div>
−
 
 
−
<div class="jiegou">
 
  
−
Subj. + 没有 + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase
+
=== 被 Sentences with Aspect Particles ===
  
−
</div>
+
The particles 了 and 过 can both be used with 被 constructions, while 着 cannot. 着 indicates an action is "ongoing," which is not appropriate for a 被 construction, which should refer to an already complete action.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="width:45em"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="width:42em"
−
|+Creating a negative 被 sentence
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
−
!   !! !! !! Subj. !! Negative !! Verb Phrase !! Obj. !!
+
! Subject !! 被 !! Object !! Verb !! <em>Aspect particle</em> !!
 
|-
 
|-
−
| || ||  || 男孩 || <strong>没有</strong> || 吃掉 || 热狗 || 。
+
| 他 || 被 || 老师 || 打 || <em>过</em> || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Subj. !! Negative !!  !! Doer !!  !! Verb Phrase !!  !!
+
| 你 || 被 || 他 ||骗 || <em>了</em> || ！
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 热狗 || <strong>没有</strong> || <em>被</em> || 男孩 ||  || 吃掉 || || 。
+
|我 的 车 || 被 || &nbsp; || 撞 || <em>过</em> || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 热狗 || <strong>没有</strong> || <em>被</em> ||  ||  || 吃掉 || || 。
+
| 她 || 被 || 男朋友 || 甩 || <em>了</em> || 。
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
=== 被 Sentences with Complements ===
 +
 +
Both [[result complement]]s and [[direction complement]]s work well in 被 sentences.
 +
 +
Some examples:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 男孩 <strong>没有</strong> 吃 掉 热狗 。 <span class="expl">the original sentence, using the negative adverb 没有)</span>
+
*花瓶 <em>被</em> 摔 <strong>碎</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Huāpíng <em>bèi</em> shuāi <strong>suì</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">The vase was broken into pieces.</span>
−
* 热狗 <strong>没有</strong> <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 掉  。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence, using the negative adverb 没有)</span>
+
*那个人 <em>被</em> 车 撞 <strong>死</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Nàge rén <em>bèi</em> chē zhuàng <strong>sǐ</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">That man got hit and killed by a car.</span>
−
* 热狗 <strong>没有</strong> <em>被</em> 吃 掉  。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence, using the negative adverb 没有, and no "doer")</span>
+
*那个 男人 <em>被</em> 警察 赶 <strong>出去</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Nàge nánrén <em>bèi</em> jǐngchá gǎn <strong>chūqu</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">The man was kicked out by the policeman.</span>
 +
*孩子 <em>被</em> 他 父母 送 <strong>回去</strong> 了 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi <em>bèi</em> tā fùmǔ sòng <strong>huíqù</strong> le.</span><span class="trans">The child was sent back by his parents.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
=== Adding Adv.s in a 被 Sentence ===
+
Sorry if these example sentences all seem like downers, but 被 sentences tend to be negative (or even tragic!).
−
 
 
−
What if you want to include adverbs in your 被 sentence?  Where should those go?  They go in the same place as the ''negative'' adverb 没有, above.  (Frequently you'll see the word "adverbial" or "adverbial adjunct" used in this case, because some words in Chinese, such as time words, act like adverbs but are technically nouns.) In the following example we'll use the adverb 刚, which is used to express that something just recently happened.
 
−
 
 
−
<div class="jiegou">
 
  
−
Subj. + Adv. + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase
+
=== Adverbs in 被 Sentences ===
  
−
</div>
+
What if you want to include adverbs in your 被 sentence?  Where should those go?  They go in the same place as the ''negative'' adverb 没有, above.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:45em"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:45em"
−
|+Creating a negative 被 sentence
+
|+Some examples:
 
|-
 
|-
−
!   !! !!  !! Subj. !! Adv. !! Verb Phrase !! Obj. !!   
+
! Subject !! Adv. !! <em>被</em> !! Doer !! Verb Phrase !! !!   
 
|-
 
|-
−
| || ||  || 男孩 || <strong>刚</strong> || 吃掉 || 热狗 || 。
+
| 他 || <strong>刚才</strong> || <em>被</em> || 同学 || 打 || 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Subj. !! Adv. !!  !! Doer !!  !! Verb Phrase !!  !!
+
| 我们 || <strong>都</strong> || <em>被</em> ||老师|| 骂 || 了 || 。
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 热狗 || <strong>刚</strong> || <em>被</em> || 男孩 || || 吃掉 || || 。
+
| 手机 || <strong>又</strong> || <em>被</em> || &nbsp; || 偷 || 了 || ？
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 热狗 || <strong>刚</strong> || <em>被</em> || || || 吃掉 || || 。
+
| 小偷|| <strong>终于</strong> || <em>被</em> || &nbsp; || 抓住 || 了 || ！
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
<div class="liju">
+
== See also ==
−
 
 
−
* 男孩 <strong>刚</strong> 吃 掉 热狗 。 <span class="expl">the original sentence, using the Adv. 刚)</span>
 
−
* 热狗 <strong>刚</strong> <em>被</em> 男孩 吃 掉  。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence, using the Adv. 刚)</span>
 
−
* 热狗 <strong>刚</strong> <em>被</em> 吃 掉  。 <span class="expl">the passive sentence, using the Adv. 刚, and no "doer")</span>
 
−
 
 
−
</div>
 
  
−
==See also==
 
 
* [[Passive verbs with "shou"]]
 
* [[Passive verbs with "shou"]]
 
* [[Ba sentence]]
 
* [[Ba sentence]]
 
* [[Result complement]]
 
* [[Result complement]]
 
* [[Direction complement]]
 
* [[Direction complement]]
−
 
−
== References ==
 
−
<references/>
 
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
Line 252: Line 203:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
−
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 470-7) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 3|171}}
−
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar ]] (pp. 55) [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|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)|470-7}}
−
* [[Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 2 (博雅汉语初经起步篇)]] (pp. 182) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7301078617/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7301078617 →buy]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar |55}}
−
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 164-6) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+
{{Source|Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 2 (博雅汉语初经起步篇)|182}}
−
* [[Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)]] (pp. 362-4) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|164-6}}
−
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 243-4) [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|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)|362-4}}
−
* [[Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar]] (pp. 492-508) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520066103?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520066103 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|243-4}}
−
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 100-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
+
{{Source|Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar|492-508}}
−
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)]] (pp. 239-40) [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|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|100-7}}
−
* [[Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下)]] (pp. 168-70) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913656/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913656 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2)|239-40}}
−
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册）]] (pp. 428-9)[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|Short-term Spoken Chinese: Threshold Vol. 2 (汉语口语入门篇下)|168-70}}
 +
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册）|428-9}}
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
  
 
* ChinesePod (free content): [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/passive-verbs-and-%E8%A2%AB Qing Wen - Passive Verbs and 被]
 
* ChinesePod (free content): [http://chinesepod.com/lessons/passive-verbs-and-%E8%A2%AB Qing Wen - Passive Verbs and 被]
−
* East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/2090/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/passive-voice/ Mandarin passive voice: grammar and usage]
+
 
 
{{Similar|Direction complement}}
 
{{Similar|Direction complement}}
 
{{Similar|Result complements}}
 
{{Similar|Result complements}}
 
{{Similar|Ba sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Ba sentence}}
 
{{Similar|Passive Verbs with "shou"}}
 
{{Similar|Passive Verbs with "shou"}}
−
{{Basic Grammar|被|B1|被 + Verb|书 <em>被</em> 人 偷 了。|grammar point|ASGHF9F1}}
+
{{HSK|HSK3}}
−
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|被|B1|Subj. + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase|我 <em>被</em> <strong>他</strong> 骗 了 。|grammar point|ASGHF9F1}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing passive voice}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing passive voice}}
 
{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 +
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}

Latest revision as of 08:58, 18 January 2021

Chinese-grammar-wiki-bei4.jpg

被 (bèi) sentences, which are called 被字句 (bèizìjù) in Chinese, are a key way to express the passive voice in modern Mandarin Chinese. In passive sentences, the object of an action becomes the subject of the sentence, and the "doer" of the action, which would have been the subject of the normal (active voice) sentence, becomes secondary and may or may not be mentioned in the passive sentence.

What is a 被 sentence?

被 (bèi) sentences are simply sentences which use a passive verb and the word 被. 被 sentences are not the only way to create the passive verb form in Chinese, but they are the most common and definitely the type to tackle first.

For the sake of clarity, take these sentences for example:

  • 男孩 吃 了 热狗 。active voice sentence: "the hot dog" is the object of the verb "ate" Nánhái chī le règǒu .The boy ate the hot dog.
  • 热狗 被 男孩 吃 了 。"the hot dog" is now the subject, and "the boy" is the "doer"Règǒu bèi nánhái chī le.The hot dog was eaten by the boy.
  • 热狗 被 吃 了 。passive voice with the "doer" omittedRègǒu bèi chī le.The hot dog was eaten.

Why use them?

First, passive sentences indicate that one has been negatively affected. For example:

  • 他 被 打 了 。Tā bèi dǎ le.He was beaten.

Second, passive sentences shift emphasis from the "doer" of the action to the one affected by that action. For example:

  • 你 被 公司 炒鱿鱼 了 ？Nǐ bèi gōngsī chǎo yóuyú le?You got fired by the company?

Third, passive sentences allow one to avoid having to mention the "doer" of the action, either because it is unknown, or for other reasons. For example:

  • 我 的 手机 被 偷 了 。Wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le.My cell phone got stolen.

How to Use 被 Sentences

Normal use of 被 has a few preconditions:

  1. The verb to be used with 被 needs to have an object (this will become the new subject of the 被 sentence). Verbs that take objects are called transitive verbs.
  2. If you're going to state who the verb was done by (the "doer"), then the subject doing the original action must be known.
  3. The verb can't be too simple (for example, a one-character verb like 吃). Put simply, something needs to come after the verb. That "something" can be a particle like 了, a complement, or sometimes even an additional object.

Structure

Subj. + 被 (+ Doer) + Verb + 了

Examples

被 sentences with a doer:

  • 我 被 他 骗 了 。Wǒ bèi tā piàn le.I was deceived by him.
  • 他 被 警察 抓 了 。Tā bèi jǐngchá zhuā le.He was caught by the police.
  • 他 被 父母 骂 了 。Tā bèi fùmǔ mà le.He was scolded by his parents.

被 sentences without a doer:

  • 我 的 车 被 撞 了 。Wǒ de chē bèi zhuàng le.My car was hit.
  • 他们 做 的 坏事 被 发现 了 。Tāmen zuò de huàishì bèi fāxiàn le.The bad things they've done were discovered.
  • 文件 被 删 了 。Wénjiàn bèi shān le.The files were deleted.

Common Mistakes

  • 咖啡 被 我 喝 。Remember: you need SOMEthing after the verb.Kāfēi bèi wǒ hē.
  • 咖啡 被 我 喝 了 。Kāfēi bèi wǒ hē le.The coffee was drunk by me.
  • 咖啡 被 我 喝 完 了 。Kāfēi bèi wǒ hē wán le.The coffee was finished by me.
  • 他 被 打 。Remember: you need SOMEthing after the verb.Tā bèi dǎ.
  • 他 被 打 了 。Tā bèi dǎ le.He was beaten.
  • 他 被 打 伤 了 。Tā bèi dǎ shāng le.He was beaten and wounded.

Forming 被 Sentences

You know the basic pattern already, so it's time to go deeper...

Negating 被 Sentences

There's just one other complication. What if you want to make a sentence in the negative? To negate a 被 sentence, you need to insert 没 or 没有 (past) directly in front of 被. For the present and future, use 不.

Some examples:
Doer Negative 被 Subject Verb Phrase
他 没有 被   打伤 。
他 没 被   炒鱿鱼 。
她 的 想法 不 被 父母 理解 。

Question Forms of 被 Sentences

You can make 被 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:

  • 那些 书 被 借 走 了 吗 ？Nàxiē shū bèi jiè zǒu le ma?Have those books been borrowed?
  • 他 被 谁 打 的 ？Tā bèi shéi dǎ de?Who was he beaten by?
  • 你 是不是 被 公司 炒鱿鱼 了 ？Nǐ shì bu shì bèi gōngsī chǎo yóuyú le?Did you get fired by the company or not?

被 Sentences with Aspect Particles

The particles 了 and 过 can both be used with 被 constructions, while 着 cannot. 着 indicates an action is "ongoing," which is not appropriate for a 被 construction, which should refer to an already complete action.

Some examples:
Subject 被 Object Verb Aspect particle
他 被 老师 打 过 。
你 被 他 骗 了 ！
我 的 车 被   撞 过 。
她 被 男朋友 甩 了 。

被 Sentences with Complements

Both result complements and direction complements work well in 被 sentences.

Some examples:

  • 花瓶 被 摔 碎 了 。Huāpíng bèi shuāi suì le.The vase was broken into pieces.
  • 那个人 被 车 撞 死 了 。Nàge rén bèi chē zhuàng sǐ le.That man got hit and killed by a car.
  • 那个 男人 被 警察 赶 出去 了 。Nàge nánrén bèi jǐngchá gǎn chūqu le.The man was kicked out by the policeman.
  • 孩子 被 他 父母 送 回去 了 。Háizi bèi tā fùmǔ sòng huíqù le.The child was sent back by his parents.

Sorry if these example sentences all seem like downers, but 被 sentences tend to be negative (or even tragic!).

Adverbs in 被 Sentences

What if you want to include adverbs in your 被 sentence? Where should those go? They go in the same place as the negative adverb 没有, above.

Some examples:
Subject Adv. 被 Doer Verb Phrase
他 刚才 被 同学 打 了 。
我们 都 被 老师 骂 了 。
手机 又 被   偷 了 ？
小偷 终于 被   抓住 了 ！

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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