How to form the passive in Chinese with 被 (bèi)
Patient/Object + 被 (bèi) + (Agent) + Verb Phrase
Passive construction with "被 (bèi)"
Patient/Object + 被 (bèi) + (Agent) + Verb Phrase
HSK 3Sentence PatternsPassive construction with "被 (bèi)"
Rule structure
The 被 (bèi) construction shows that something was done to an object. The sentence starts with the affected object, then 被 (bèi), then the person who did the action. Structure: object + 被 (bèi) + who did it + action.
Rule structure
The 被 (bèi) construction shows that something was done to an object. The sentence starts with the affected object, then 被 (bèi), then the person who did the action. Structure: object + 被 (bèi) + who did it + action.
Examples
杯子被我打碎了。
Bēizi bèi wǒ dǎ suì le.
The cup was broken by me.
Examples
杯子被我打碎了。
Bēizi bèi wǒ dǎ suì le.
The cup was broken by me.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Passive construction with "被 (bèi)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Patient/Object + 被 (bèi) + (Agent) + Verb Phrase. For example: 杯子被我打碎了。 — “The cup was broken by me.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
杯子被我打碎了。 — “The cup was broken by me.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 3 grammar rules
Expressing "not even one"
一 (yī) + MW + 也 (yě)/都 (dōu) + 没 (méi)/不 (bù) + Verb
Expressing "the more… the more…" with "越 (yuè) … 越 (yuè) …"
Subj.＋越 (yuè)＋Verb＋越 (yuè) + Adj. / Verb
Using "把 (bǎ)" sentences
Subj. + 把 (bǎ) + Obj. + Verb
Simultaneous tasks with "一边 (yìbiān)"
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
Expressing "if… then…" with "如果 (rúguǒ) … 就 (jiù) …"
如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……
Big numbers in Chinese
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
Turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb
Reduplication of adjectives
AA / AABB