Writing
把 (bǎ) — how to say "preposition putting the object before the verb" in Chinese
把
Preposition putting the object before the verb; measure word for things with a handle
noun measure word · passive / 把 preposition
How to use it
noun measure word
Goes between a number (or 这/那) and the noun; a number can't attach to a noun without it.
我买了一把伞。
wǒ mǎi le yī bǎ sǎn
I bought an umbrella.
passive / 把 preposition
Brings the object, or the doer, in front of the verb.
我把书看了。
wǒ bǎ shū kàn le
I read the book.
Radicals / Keys
手
Hand
#64 · shǒu · 4 strokes
Collocations
一把伞
yì bǎ sǎn
an umbrella
把门关上
bǎ mén guān shàng
close the door
Examples
回家以后，请把地图放在桌子上，再把钥匙放进抽屉里。
When you get home, put the map on the table and then put the keys in the drawer.
请把地图放在桌子上。
Please put the map on the table.
Mnemonic
[bǎ-] Bart Simpson is in the art class, creating a funky collage. He sees components like 木 (wood) and 手 (hand) coming together to form 把 as he uses a preposition to describe where each piece should go. Fascinated, Bart attaches everything just right and admires the 把 layout of his masterpiece. 🎨🖐️
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "preposition putting the object before the verb" in Chinese?
"preposition putting the object before the verb" in Chinese is 把 (bǎ).
把 meaning in English
把 (bǎ) means "Preposition putting the object before the verb; measure word for things with a handle".
How is 把 pronounced?
It is pronounced bǎ (written as ba). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
Ba in Chinese character
It is written 把 and has 7 strokes. The Writing section above animates the stroke order and lets you trace it.
What HSK level is 把?
把 belongs to the HSK 3 vocabulary list.
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Grammar with 把
把 — how to use the 把 sentence
Subj. + 把 (bǎ) + Obj. + Verb
把 — advanced uses
Subj. + 把 (bǎ) + Obj. + Verb + Complex Complement
将 vs 把 — formal “ba” construction
Subj. + 将 (jiāng) + Obj. + Verb + Complement
看把 — look how…
(你 (nǐ)) + 看 (kàn) / 瞧 (qiáo) + 把 (bǎ) + Person + State + 得 (de) + Extent
刻意 — deliberately, on purpose
Subj. + 刻意 (kèyì) / 有意 (yǒuyì) + Verb; Subj. + 任意 (rènyì) + Verb; Subj. + 擅自 (shànzì) / 私自 (sīzì) + Verb
不是 — not to criticize you
不是 (búshì) + correction / 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) + criticism / 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) + reproach