In Chinese grammar, passive sentences are used to emphasize the action receiver rather than the action doer. Unlike English, where the subject of an active sentence becomes the object in a passive sentence, Chinese passive sentences employ a specific structure to convey this change in focus. For beginners, understanding passive sentences can be challenging, but with some practice and guidance, you can master this aspect of the language.
Basic Structure of Chinese Passive Sentences:
In Chinese, the basic structure of a passive sentence consists of the following elements:
被 (bèi) or 叫 (jiào) – These are the two most commonly used passive markers in Chinese. 被 (bèi) is more formal, while 叫 (jiào) is more colloquial and often used in spoken language.
Subject – This is the receiver of the action, which would typically be the object in an active sentence.
Verb – The action that is being done to the subject.
Agent – (Optional) This is the doer of the action, similar to the subject in an active sentence.
被 (bèi) Passive Structure:
The 被 (bèi) passive structure is commonly used in written and formal Chinese. Let’s look at an example sentence to better understand it:
Active: 我吃了水果。 (Wǒ chī le shuǐguǒ.)
Translation: I ate the fruit.
Passive: 水果被我吃了。 (Shuǐguǒ bèi wǒ chī le.)
Translation: The fruit was eaten by me.
In this example, the subject “我” (wǒ – I) becomes the agent in the passive sentence, and the object “水果” (shuǐguǒ – fruit) becomes the subject. The passive marker “被” (bèi) is placed before the new subject, and the rest of the sentence remains unchanged.
叫 (jiào) Passive Structure:
The 叫 (jiào) passive structure is more commonly used in spoken Chinese. Here’s an example to illustrate it:
Active: 他们叫我小明。 (Tāmen jiào wǒ Xiǎo Míng.)
Translation: They call me Xiao Ming.
Passive: 我被他们叫做小明。 (Wǒ bèi tāmen jiào zuò Xiǎo Míng.)
Translation: I am called Xiao Ming by them.
In this example, the subject “我” (wǒ – I) becomes the agent in the passive sentence, and the object “小明” (Xiǎo Míng – Xiao Ming) becomes the subject. The passive marker “被” (bèi) is placed before the new subject, and the rest of the sentence remains the same as in the active voice.
Omission of Agent in Passive Sentences:
In many Chinese passive sentences, the agent (the doer of the action) can be omitted if it’s clear from the context. Omitting the agent is quite common in everyday conversation and informal writing. Let’s see an example:
Active: 他们打破了窗户。 (Tāmen dǎpò le chuānghù.)
Translation: They broke the window.
Passive: 窗户被打破了。 (Chuānghù bèi dǎpò le.)
Translation: The window was broken.
In this example, the agent “他们” (tāmen – they) is not mentioned in the passive sentence because it’s implied and understood from the context.
Placement of Time and Location in Passive Sentences:
When forming passive sentences in Chinese, the time and location elements are usually placed before the verb. Let’s take a look at an example:
Active: 他昨天在公园遇到了他的朋友。 (Tā zuótiān zài gōngyuán yùdào le tā de péngyou.)
Translation: Yesterday, he met his friend in the park.
Passive: 昨天，在公园，他的朋友被他遇到了。 (Zuótiān, zài gōngyuán, tā de péngyou bèi tā yùdào le.)
Translation: Yesterday, in the park, his friend was met by him.
In this example, the time “昨天” (zuótiān – yesterday) and location “在公园” (zài gōngyuán – in the park) are placed before the verb “被” (bèi) in the passive sentence.
Passive Sentences with Modal Verbs:
In Chinese, passive sentences can also be formed with modal verbs like “能” (néng – can) and “应该” (yīnggāi – should). Let’s see an example:
Active: 你能听懂中文吗？ (Nǐ néng tīngdǒng Zhōngwén ma?)
Translation: Can you understand Chinese?
Passive: 中文能被你听懂吗？ (Zhōngwén néng bèi nǐ tīngdǒng ma?)
Translation: Can Chinese be understood by you?
In this example, the modal verb “能” (néng – can) is placed before the passive marker “被” (bèi) to form the passive sentence.
Conclusion:
Understanding passive sentences in Chinese is essential for effective communication and comprehension. By grasping the basic structure and usage of the passive markers “被” (bèi) and “叫” (jiào), as well as the placement of time, location, and the omission of the agent, you can begin constructing and comprehending passive sentences. With practice, you will become more proficient in using this aspect of the Chinese language. Keep exploring and practicing to enhance your language skills!
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Which two passive markers are commonly used in Chinese?
A) 说 (shuō)
B) 吃 (chī)
C) 被 (bèi)
D) 叫 (jiào)
Answer: C) 被 (bèi) and D) 叫 (jiào)
Explanation: The two commonly used passive markers in Chinese are “被” (bèi) and “叫” (jiào). They are used to indicate the passive voice in sentences.
Example sentence: 他们叫我小明。 (Tāmen jiào wǒ Xiǎo Míng.)
Translation: They call me Xiao Ming.
Exercise 2:
In a passive sentence, what becomes the subject?
A) Object
B) Verb
C) Agent
D) Subject
Answer: A)Subject
Explanation: In a passive sentence, the subject of an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The focus is on the action receiver rather than the action doer.
Example sentence: 我被他们叫做小明。 (Wǒ bèi tāmen jiào zuò Xiǎo Míng.)
Translation: I am called Xiao Ming by them.
Exercise 3:
Which passive marker is more commonly used in written and formal Chinese?
A) 说 (shuō)
B) 吃 (chī)
C) 被 (bèi)
D) 叫 (jiào)
Answer: C) 被 (bèi)
Explanation: The passive marker “被” (bèi) is more commonly used in written and formal Chinese. It is often used to indicate the passive voice in sentences.
Example sentence: 水果被我吃了。 (Shuǐguǒ bèi wǒ chī le.)
Translation: The fruit was eaten by me.
Exercise 4:
In passive sentences, what can be omitted if it’s clear from the context?
A) Object
B) Agent
C) Subject
D) Verb
Answer: B) Agent
Explanation: In many Chinese passive sentences, the agent (the doer of the action) can be omitted if it’s clear from the context. This is common in everyday conversation and informal writing.
Example sentence: 窗户被打破了。 (Chuānghù bèi dǎpò le.)
Translation: The window was broken.
Exercise 5:
Where are the time and location elements usually placed in passive sentences?
A) Before the subject
B) After the verb
C) Before the object
D) Before the verb
Answer: D) Before the verb
Explanation: In passive sentences, the time and location elements are usually placed before the verb in Chinese. This helps provide context and clarify when and where the action took place.
Example sentence: 昨天，在公园，他的朋友被他遇到了。 (Zuótiān, zài gōngyuán, tā de péngyou bèi tā yùdào le.)
Translation: Yesterday, in the park, his friend was met by him.
Exercise 6:
Which modal verb can be used to form a passive sentence?
A) 可以 (kěyǐ)
B) 听懂 (tīngdǒng)
C) 能 (néng)
D) 说 (shuō)
Answer: C) 能 (néng)
Explanation: The modal verb “能” (néng – can) can be used to form a passive sentence in Chinese. It is placed before the passive marker “被” (bèi) to indicate the ability or possibility of the action.
Example sentence: 中文能被你听懂吗？ (Zhōngwén néng bèi nǐ tīngdǒng ma?)
Translation: Can Chinese be understood by you?
Exercise 7:
What is the purpose of using passive sentences in Chinese?
A) To emphasize the action doer
B) To focus on the verb
C) To emphasize the action receiver
D) To indicate a future action
Answer: C) To emphasize the action receiver
Explanation: Passive sentences in Chinese are used to emphasize the action receiver rather than the action doer. They shift the focus of the sentence and highlight the recipient or target of the action.
Example sentence: 水果被我吃了。 (Shuǐguǒ bèi wǒ chī le.)
Translation: The fruit was eaten by me.
Exercise 8:
Which marker is more colloquial and often used in spoken Chinese?
A) 说 (shuō)
B) 吃 (chī)
C) 被 (bèi)
D) 叫 (jiào)
Answer: D) 叫 (jiào)
Explanation: The passive marker “叫” (jiào) is more colloquial and often used in spoken Chinese to indicate the passive voice in sentences.
Example sentence: 我被他们叫做小明。 (Wǒ bèi tāmen jiào zuò Xiǎo Míng.)
Translation: I am called Xiao Ming by them.
Exercise 9:
Which element can be omitted in Chinese passive sentences?
A) Object
B) Agent
C) Verb
D) Subject
Answer: B) Agent
Explanation: In many Chinese passive sentences, the agent (the doer of the action) can be omitted if it’s clear from the context. This is a common feature of passive sentences in Chinese.
Example sentence: 窗户被打破了。 (Chuānghù bèi dǎpò le.)
Translation: The window was broken.
Exercise 10:
Why is understanding passive sentences important in Chinese?
A) To indicate a future action
B) To focus on the object
C) To emphasize the subject
D) For effective communication and comprehension
Answer: D) For effective communication and comprehension
Explanation: Understanding passive sentences in Chinese is essential for effective communication and comprehension. It allows you to convey emphasis on the action receiver and expands your language skills in constructing and understanding different sentence structures.
Example sentence: 昨天，在公园，他的朋友被他遇到了。 (Zuótiān, zài gōngyuán, tā de péngyou bèi tā yùdào le.)
Translation: Yesterday, in the park, his friend was met by him.
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Originally posted 2023-07-20 07:34:53.