If the passive sentences from earlier levels feel unfamiliar, it’s worth reviewing 被 bèi被 bèi, 叫 jiào叫 jiào/讓 ràng让 ràng, and 給 gěi给 gěi first — this structure builds on the same core idea, just dressed up for formal occasions.
1 Structure
(1) Subject + 被 bèi被 bèi + Object + 所 suǒ所 suǒ + Verb Phrase
A highly formal passive, typical of speeches. The verb should also be formal — usually two syllables. Unlike the passive sentences from earlier levels, this structure allows the verb to sit at the very end of the sentence, with nothing required after it.
這是我第一次感到自己被一個人所吸引这是我第一次感到自己被一个人所吸引
This is the first time I feel attracted to a person.
沒想到他竟會被一個小學生所欺騙没想到他竟会被一个小学生所欺骗
I never thought that he would be cheated on by a schoolboy.
他的決定尚未被家人所認同他的决定尚未被家人所认同
His decision is not yet accepted by his family.
(2) Subject + 為 wéi为 wéi + Object + 所 suǒ所 suǒ + Verb Phrase
Even more formal than the 被 bèi被 bèi version above — this one is reserved for official or formal written documents. Same rules apply:a formal, usually two-syllable verb, and the verb can close out the sentence.
他此種行為，為人類社會所不容他此种行为，为人类社会所不容
His behavior is unacceptable to human society.
領導的這種做法往往不為員工所信任领导的这种做法往往不为员工所信任
Leaders are often not trusted by employees for this approach.
如此蠻橫的政策實在不為人民所接受如此蛮横的政策实在不为人民所接受
Such a brutal policy is really unacceptable to the people.
A Key Difference
In every passive structure from earlier levels, something had to follow the verb — 了 le了 le, a complement, an object. Here, that requirement disappears:the verb phrase itself can be the last thing in the sentence, which is part of what makes this structure sound so formal and literary.
2 Common Mistakes
❌
他的行為，人類社會所不容他的行为，人类社会所不容
✅
他的行為，為人類社會所不容他的行为，为人类社会所不容
His behavior is unacceptable to society. 所 suǒ所 suǒ can never appear on its own — it always needs 被 bèi被 bèi or 為 wéi为 wéi introducing the doer right before it.
❌
他的決定尚未被家人認同所他的决定尚未被家人认同所
✅
他的決定尚未被家人所認同他的决定尚未被家人所认同
His decision is not yet accepted by his family. 所 suǒ所 suǒ sits directly before the verb — never after it.
3 Internet Slang
A completely different register:these are ironic, modern internet terms that borrow the 被 bèi被 bèi passive structure to describe a coerced or involuntary outcome — often associated with Chinese political internet censorship.
被消失 bèi xiāoshī被消失 bèi xiāoshī — “to be disappeared”
消失 xiāoshī消失 xiāoshī means “disappear.” The phrase works like the English “being sidelined”: when a public figure posts something misread as a challenge to the government, they suddenly lose public visibility — as if made to vanish.
那位說錯話的藝人馬上就被消失了那位说错话的艺人马上就被消失了
The celebrity who misspoke was immediately blocked from the media.
被和諧 bèi héxié被和谐 bèi héxié — “to be harmonized”
Essentially the same idea as 被消失 bèi xiāoshī被消失 bèi xiāoshī, except this term applies to events, words, or phrases rather than people — things like Tiananmen, “brainwashing,” or “human rights” being scrubbed from search results or discussion.
小熊維尼這四個字在中國被和諧了小熊维尼这四个字在中国被和谐了
The four characters “Winnie the Pooh” are censored in China.
A Cultural Note
“Winnie the Pooh” became a censored term in China after netizens began comparing the character’s appearance to President Xi Jinping, spawning memes and jokes. To avoid the political mockery, the government started censoring references to the character — turning the phrase itself into a sensitive term.
被潛規則 bèi qiǎn guīzé被潜规则 bèi qiǎn guīzé — “to be subjected to unspoken rules”
Many social settings run on unwritten rules everyone’s expected to follow without being told — never contradicting a supervisor even when they’re wrong, for instance. Someone who breaks these unspoken norms can face quiet consequences, like being sidelined or ignored — that’s 被潛規則 bèi qiǎnguīzé被潜规则 bèi qiǎnguīzé.
領導問大家意見的時候，他竟然真的給建議，難怪會被潛規則领导问大家意见的时候，他竟然真的给建议，难怪会被潜规则
When the leader asked for everyone’s opinion, he actually gave suggestions. No wonder he ended up being sidelined.
新進人員一定要記得送禮給資深前輩，否則很快就會被潛規則新进人员一定要记得送礼给资深前辈，否则很快就会被潜规则
Newcomers must remember to give gifts to senior colleagues, otherwise they’ll soon become subject to hidden rules.
4 Practice
Translate each English sentence into the formal 被 bèi被 bèi/為 wéi为 wéi⋯所 suǒ所 suǒ⋯ structure, then tap the card to check your answer.
01This policy has already been widely accepted by the public.
這項政策已經被大眾所接受这项政策已经被大众所接受
This policy has already been widely accepted by the public.
👆 Tap to reveal
02His proposal was rejected by the committee.
他的提案被委員會所否決他的提案被委员会所否决
His proposal was rejected by the committee.
👆 Tap to reveal
03This kind of conduct is not tolerated by the law.
這種行為不為法律所容这种行为不为法律所容
This kind of conduct is not tolerated by the law.
👆 Tap to reveal
04Her sincerity was eventually recognized by everyone.
她的誠意最終被大家所認可她的诚意最终被大家所认可
Her sincerity was eventually recognized by everyone.
👆 Tap to reveal
05This kind of statement is not supported by the facts.
這種說法不為事實所支持这种说法不为事实所支持
This kind of statement is not supported by the facts.
👆 Tap to reveal
06The actor’s comment got quickly censored online.
那位演員的發言很快就被和諧了那位演员的发言很快就被和谐了
The actor’s comment got quickly censored online.
👆 Tap to reveal
07This theory is doubted by many scholars.
這個理論被許多學者所懷疑这个理论被许多学者所怀疑
This theory is doubted by many scholars.
👆 Tap to reveal
08His talent is not known to the outside world.
他的才華不為外界所知他的才华不为外界所知
His talent is not known to the outside world.
👆 Tap to reveal
09That report was adopted by the committee.
那份報告被委員會所採納那份报告被委员会所采纳
That report was adopted by the committee.
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10Such remarks are not endorsed by the general public.
這樣的言論不為社會大眾所認同这样的言论不为社会大众所认同
Such remarks are not endorsed by the general public.
👆 Tap to reveal
