HSK 4
被动句2：主语+被+动词+其他成分
bèi dòng jù 2 ： zhǔ yǔ + bèi + dòng cí + qí tā chéng fèn
Passive sentence 2: Subject + 被 + verb + other elements
Explanation
This is the passive 被-construction (bèi) - a type of passive sentence, used when the subject (at the head of the sentence) is the object that RECEIVES the action rather than the doer.
subject (the person/thing affected) + 被 (bèi) + [agent] + verb + other elements (such as 了 le, a complement). The agent part (the one causing the action) CAN be omitted, e.g. 灯被关上了 (the light was turned off) does not need to say who turned it off.
when you want to emphasize what happened to the subject, usually something unintended or neutral; the verb after 被 usually must have an additional element (了, a resultative/directional complement) rather than standing alone.
the passive 被-construction (bèi) is the opposite of the 把-construction (bǎ) - the 把-construction emphasizes HOW the object is HANDLED (the subject acts actively), while the passive 被-construction emphasizes that the subject IS affected. In Chinese, 被 does not necessarily carry a negative meaning like "bị" in Vietnamese; it is often neutral or even positive (被请 "to be invited").
Vietnamese learners often leave the verb standing bare after 被 (被关 instead of 被关上了); you must add a supplementary element. Also, do not always translate 被 as "bị" with a negative meaning; depending on context it can be "được" (to be favorably done to).
Examples
Teacher Wang was invited to go to a meeting.
The classroom lights were turned off long ago.
That painting has already been bought and taken away.
Practice
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Learn “被动句2：主语+被+动词+其他成分” effectively
The grammar point “被动句2：主语+被+动词+其他成分” (Passive sentence 2: Subject + 被 + verb + other elements) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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