Things done to you: 被
The passive with 被, and passives without it.
被 bèi makes a passive: what the action is done to, 被, whoever did it, and the verb with something after it. It is used most for things that go wrong.
- Wǒ de qiánbāo bèi tōu le.My wallet was stolen.
- Tā bèi lǎoshī pīpíng le.He was told off by the teacher.
- Dàngāo bèi dìdi chīwán le.My little brother ate all the cake.
In speech, 叫 jiào and 让 ràng work like 被, but must name who did it. The negative is 没被.
- Wǒ méi bèi xuǎnshang.I wasn't chosen.
Without 被
When it's obvious that the subject had something done to it, Chinese just says it, with no 被.
- Fàn zuòhǎo le.The food is ready.
- Xìn xiěwán le.The letter is written.
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
How do you say "My wallet was stolen"?
我的钱包被偷了。
Where does the doer go in a 被 sentence?
Right after 被: 他被老师批评了.
Does 饭做好了 (The food is ready) need 被?
No.
What is the negative of a 被 sentence?
没被: 我没被选上.
What kind of event is 被 used for most?
Something unwelcome happening to someone.
Which words work like 被 in speech?
叫 (jiào) and 让 (ràng), which must name who did it.
How do you say "My little brother ate all the cake" with 被?
蛋糕被弟弟吃完了。
Can a 被 sentence end with the bare verb?
No: something follows the verb, usually 了 or a result.