The 被字句 (bèi zì jù) is a special way to use the passive voice in Mandarin. This means it helps us show how something is done to someone or something, rather than saying who does the action. This structure can help us share feelings, events, and make our sentences clearer. Let’s look at how to use 被字句.

How to Structure 被字句

1. Basic Format:

   • A passive sentence usually follows this pattern:
     • Subject + 被 (bèi) + Who Did It + Action + (Extra Information)
   • For example:
     • 书被他读了。(Shū bèi tā dú le.) – The book was read by him.

2. Who Did It:

   • Sometimes, you don’t need to say who did the action if it’s not important or you don’t know.
   • For example:
     • 教室被打扫了。(Jiàoshì bèi dǎsǎo le.) – The classroom was cleaned. (We don’t mention who cleaned it.)

3. Using Measure Words:

   • When talking about amounts, make sure to use measure words.
   • For example:
     • 一本书被他读了。(Yī běn shū bèi tā dú le.) – A book was read by him.

Understanding Time Markers

Time markers help us figure out when the action happened in passive sentences:

• 了 (le): Shows that the action is finished.

  • Example:
    • 信被寄到了。(Xìn bèi jì dào le.) – The letter was sent.

• 过 (guò): Shows that someone has done something before.

  • Example:
    • 这件事我听过。(Zhè jiàn shì wǒ tīng guò.) – I have heard about this.

• 在 (zài): Shows that something is happening right now.

  • Example:
    • 笔记本在桌子上被借走了。(Bǐjìběn zài zhuōzi shàng bèi jiè zǒu le.) – The notebook was taken from the table.

Talking About What Might Happen with 被字句

You can also use 被字句 to talk about possibilities with "if" sentences:

• Structure: 如果 (rúguǒ) + condition + 的话 (dehuà), then the passive sentence
• Example:
  • 如果这本书被你借走的话，我就没得看了。(Rúguǒ zhè běn shū bèi nǐ jiè zǒu dehuà, wǒ jiù méi de kàn le.) – If you borrow this book, then I won’t be able to read it.

Vocabulary Themes to Help You

Knowing some words can make your passive sentences better:

• Feelings:

  • 高兴 (gāoxìng - happy)
  • 难过 (nánguò - sad)
  • 紧张 (jǐnzhāng - nervous)

• Travel:

  • 飞机 (fēijī - airplane)
  • 火车 (huǒchē - train)
  • 旅行 (lǚxíng - travel)

• Cooking Methods:

  • 米饭 (mǐfàn - rice)
  • 炒 (chǎo - stir-fry)
  • 清蒸 (qīngzhēng - steam)

• Expressions:

  • 我认为 (wǒ rènwéi - I think)
  • 你应该 (nǐ yīnggāi - you should)

By practicing these structures and words, you'll get better at making passive sentences in Mandarin Chinese!