Tomyo

How to use 给 (gěi) for passive voice in Chinese

Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Agent + Verb (+ 了 (le))

Expressing passive voice with "给 (gěi)"

HSK 5Prepositions

Rule structure

给 (gěi) can mark the passive voice in colloquial Chinese. It introduces the agent and is often used when the action results in a negative outcome. Similar to 被 (bèi) but more informal.

Examples

我的手机给弟弟摔坏了。

Wǒ de shǒujī gěi dìdi shuāi huài le.

My phone was broken by my younger brother.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing passive voice with "给 (gěi)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Agent + Verb (+ 了 (le)). For example: 我的手机给弟弟摔坏了。 — “My phone was broken by my younger brother.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我的手机给弟弟摔坏了。 — “My phone was broken by my younger brother.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 5 grammar rules

Limiting scope with "就 (jiù)"

就 (jiù) + Measure Word / Noun (only, just)

Expressing "including" with "在内 (zàinèi)"

包括 (bāokuò) + X + 在内 (zàinèi), Group + 都 (dōu) + Verb

Comparing "朝 (cháo)" "向 (xiàng)" and "往 (wǎng)"

朝 (cháo) / 向 (xiàng) / 往 (wǎng) + Direction + Verb

Comparing "对 (duì)" and "对于 (duìyú)"

对 (duì) + Person + Verb / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + Verb

Comparing "对于 (duìyú)" and "至于 (zhìyú)"

对于 (duìyú) + Topic (focus) / 至于 (zhìyú) + Topic (transition)

Expressing "on the basis of" with "凭 (píng)"

凭 (píng) + Noun + Verb

Comparing "给 (gěi)" and "为 (wèi)"

给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb (transfer) / 为 (wèi) + Beneficiary + Verb (for the sake of)

Expressing "ever since" with "自从 (zìcóng)"

自从 (zìcóng) + Event, Subj. + 就 (jiù) / 一直 (yìzhí) + Verb