Grammar Point:
In Mandarin Chinese, 给 gěi can be used in passive voice constructions, either alone or together with 被 bèi. 给 gěi is colloquial and used in spoken language, while 被 bèi is formal and suitable for written language.
When to Use Passive Sentences
- When you want to indicate that someone has been negatively affected or the result is unexpected.
包包被小偷偷走了包包被小偷偷走了
The bag was stolen by a thief.
沒想到我被老師誇獎了没想到我被老师夸奖了
I didn’t expect to be complimented by my teacher.
- When you want to avoid mentioning the “doer” of the action.
包包被偷走了包包被偷走了
Structure
S + 被, 叫, 讓/让+ O + 給/给 + V + Something
When emphasizing the passive voice in Chinese, you can simply add 给 gěi in the passive sentence. However, it is also acceptable to omit 给 gěi. Chinese native speakers generally prefer to include it in spoken Chinese.
杯子被他不小心給摔碎了杯子被他不小心给摔碎了
The cup was accidentally broken by him.
自行車叫小偷給偷走了自行车叫小偷儿给偷走了
The bicycle was stolen by thieves.
這件事差點讓我給忘了这件事差点儿让我给忘了
I almost forgot about this one.
我做的飯被他給倒了我做的饭被他给倒了
He poured out the meal I made.
他的女朋友讓弟弟給搶了他的女朋友让弟弟给抢了
His girlfriend had his younger brother snatch it away.
S + 給/给 + O + V + Something
When it comes to daily conversations, it is common to use 给 gěi to replace 被 bèi. However, this practice is not commonly seen in written language.
蛋糕都給你吃完了蛋糕都给你吃完了
All the cakes are eaten up by you.
還好杯子沒給你摔破还好杯子没给你摔破
Good thing you didn’t break the cup.
教室的燈早就給關上了教室的灯早就给关上了
The lights in the classroom were already turned off.
我的個資給駭客盜了我的个资给骇客盗了
My personal information was stolen by hackers.
我的秘密給你知道了,你別想活著離開我的秘密给你知道了,你别想活着离开
You already know my secret, so don’t expect to leave alive.
- The Passive Sentence 1 (HSK 3)
- The Passive Sentence 2 (HSK 4)
- The Passive Sentence 4 (Advanced) (HSK 7-9)