HSK 3

被动句1:主语+被/叫/让+宾语+动词+其他成分

bèi dòng jù 1 : zhǔ yǔ + bèi / jiào / ràng + bīn yǔ + dòng cí + qí tā chéng fèn

Passive sentence with 被/叫/让 (Bèi/jiào/ràng)

Explanation

This is the 被 (passive) construction (the 被 construction → a special sentence type using 被 to express the passive), that is, a passive sentence used to emphasize that the subject is acted upon by another agent. Besides 被 (bèi), 叫 (jiào) and 让 (ràng) are also used with the meaning "to be / to be made to".

Structure

subject (subject → the person or thing performing the action, here it is the target being acted upon) + 被/叫/让 + agent + verb + other elements (result, 了...). For example 手机被我用坏了 (the phone got used and broken by me) — after the verb 用 there must be a result complement 坏 (huài – broken) and 了.

When to use

when you want to say that something happened to the subject unintentionally, usually with an undesirable result (broken, dirtied, bewitched).

Distinguish

被 can be used in both written and spoken language and the agent can be omitted (被用坏了 – got used and broken); whereas 叫/让 lean colloquial and REQUIRE the agent to be stated after them (do not say 叫弄脏了 but 叫弟弟弄脏了).

Common mistakes

forgetting to add an element after the verb — the 被 construction almost never ends with a bare verb; there must be 了/a result/a direction (wrong: 被我用 → correct: 被我用坏了).

Examples

那个手机早被我用坏了
geshǒuzǎobèiyònghuàile

That phone was used up and broken by me long ago.

我的词典叫弟弟弄脏了
dediǎnjiàodinòngzāngle

My dictionary got dirtied by my younger brother.

他完全让这位姑娘迷住了。
wánquánràngzhèwèiniángzhùle

He was completely captivated by this girl.

Practice

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Learn “被动句1:主语+被/叫/让+宾语+动词+其他成分” effectively

The grammar point “被动句1:主语+被/叫/让+宾语+动词+其他成分” (Passive sentence with 被/叫/让 (Bèi/jiào/ràng)) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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