When we say someone is 被动 (bèidòng), it means they tend to wait for things to happen to them or for others to tell them what to do. They don't usually take action on their own.
Think of it like a ball that just sits there until someone kicks it – it's being 被动 (bèidòng). A person who is 被动 (bèidòng) might not express their opinions much or try to control situations.
Instead, they often go along with what other people suggest. If you're always waiting for instructions instead of starting a task yourself, you could be described as 被动 (bèidòng).
§ Similar Words and When to Use Bèidòng (被动)
When you're learning Chinese, you'll encounter a few words that seem to overlap with 'passive.' Let's break down how '被动' (bèidòng) stands out and when to pick it over others.
- DEFINITION
- 被动 (bèidòng): Passive; accepting or allowing what happens or what others do.
The key with '被动' is that it describes a state of being acted upon, rather than initiating action. It often carries a nuance of being at a disadvantage or reacting to circumstances instead of proactively shaping them. Think of it as being on the receiving end, often without much choice or initiative.
§ Alternatives to Bèidòng (被动)
Here are some other words you might consider, and why they're different from '被动':
- 消极 (xiāojí): This word also means 'negative' or 'passive,' but it often refers to an attitude or a lack of enthusiasm. While a person might be '消极' because they are '被动,' the focus of '消极' is on their internal state or outlook.
他对这项任务的态度很消极。(Tā duì zhè xiàng rènwù de tàidù hěn xiāojí.) - His attitude towards this task is very negative/passive (in a reluctant way).
- 不主动 (bù zhǔdòng): This literally means 'not active' or 'not taking initiative.' It's a more direct and less nuanced way of saying someone isn't proactive. It describes the lack of action, whereas '被动' describes the state of being acted upon.
他从不主动发言。(Tā cóng bù zhǔdòng fāyán.) - He never volunteers to speak (He is not proactive in speaking).
- 接受 (jiēshòu): This means 'to accept' or 'to receive.' While being passive often involves accepting things, '接受' focuses purely on the act of acceptance, without the implication of being forced or at a disadvantage that '被动' often carries.
我接受你的建议。(Wǒ jiēshòu nǐ de jiànyì.) - I accept your suggestion.
§ When to Use Bèidòng (被动)
Use '被动' when you want to emphasize a situation where someone or something is not in control, is reacting rather than acting, or is being pushed by external forces. It highlights a lack of initiative or agency.
他在会议中一直很被动。(Tā zài huìyì zhōng yīzhí hěn bèidòng.) - He was very passive during the meeting (meaning he didn't contribute much, just reacted).
我们不能总是处于被动局面。(Wǒmen bù néng zǒng shì chǔyú bèidòng júmiàn.) - We cannot always be in a passive position (meaning always reacting to others, not taking the lead).
So, while '消极' focuses on attitude and '不主动' on the absence of initiative, '被动' captures the essence of being subjected to external actions or circumstances, often in a way that suggests a disadvantage or lack of power.
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
- Tones (especially the 4th tone on 'dòng')
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
他总是很被动，从不主动表达自己的想法。
He is always very passive, never actively expressing his own thoughts.
在这次讨论中，她表现得很被动。
In this discussion, she behaved very passively.
这种被动的学习方式效果不好。
This passive learning method is not effective.
我们不能被动地接受所有信息，要学会思考。
We cannot passively accept all information; we need to learn to think.
公司需要更积极的销售策略，而不是被动等待。
The company needs a more active sales strategy, rather than passively waiting.
他对自己的未来显得很被动，没有明确的计划。
He seems very passive about his future, without clear plans.
有时候，被动等待反而会错过机会。
Sometimes, passively waiting can lead to missing opportunities.
虽然她看起来很被动，但内心很有主见。
Although she seems very passive, she has strong opinions internally.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
他总是很被动。
He is always very passive.
不要那么被动。
Don't be so passive.
我们处于被动状态。
We are in a passive state.
她不喜欢被动地听。
She doesn't like to listen passively.
这种方法太被动了。
This method is too passive.
我们必须改变被动局面。
We must change the passive situation.
他的态度很被动。
His attitude is very passive.
我不想被动地接受。
I don't want to accept it passively.
她总是被动地等待别人来帮助。
She always passively waits for others to help.
被动学习效果不好。
Passive learning has poor results.
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
While "被动" is an adjective meaning passive, it is often associated with the grammatical concept of the passive voice in Chinese, which uses "被" (bèi).
"被动" often implies a lack of initiative, but it's not the exact same. Someone can lack initiative without necessarily being purely 'passive' in every situation.
Being reactive is a key aspect of being "被动", as it means responding to events rather than initiating them. However, "被动" can also imply a general state of not taking action.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Both "被动" and "消极" can describe a lack of initiative or a reactive stance. However, "消极" often carries a more negative connotation of being pessimistic, lethargic, or lacking motivation.
"被动" describes a state of being acted upon rather than acting. "消极" describes an attitude or a state of being unenthusiastic or negative.
他对待工作很消极，总是抱怨。(Tā duìdài gōngzuò hěn xiāojí, zǒng shì bàoyuàn.) He's very negative about work, always complaining. / 他在辩论中处于被动地位。(Tā zài biànlùn zhōng chǔyú bèidòng dìwèi.) He was in a passive position in the debate.
"被" is a common grammatical marker for the passive voice in Chinese, making it easy to confuse with the adjective "被动" itself.
"被" is a coverb used to form passive sentences (e.g., 我被他打了 - I was hit by him). "被动" is an adjective describing a characteristic or state (e.g., 他很被动 - He is very passive).
我的钱包被偷了。(Wǒ de qiánbāo bèi tōu le.) My wallet was stolen. / 她在团队中总是很被动。(Tā zài tuánduì zhōng zǒng shì hěn bèidòng.) She's always very passive in the team.
Sometimes people who are passive might also be introverted, leading to confusion. However, the two concepts are distinct.
"被动" describes how someone acts or reacts to external stimuli (accepting what happens). "内向" describes a personality trait where someone is generally reserved and gains energy from solitude.
她性格内向，不喜欢社交。(Tā xìnggé nèixiàng, bù xǐhuān shèjiāo.) She is introverted and doesn't like socializing. / 他在学习上很被动，需要老师的督促。(Tā zài xuéxí shàng hěn bèidòng, xūyào lǎoshī de dūcù.) He is very passive in his studies and needs the teacher's supervision.
Both terms can imply yielding to others. However, "顺从" suggests an active act of obedience or compliance, while "被动" is more about a reactive state.
"被动" is about being acted upon or not taking initiative. "顺从" is about willingly following orders or wishes.
他很顺从父母的意愿。(Tā hěn shùncóng fùmǔ de yìyuàn.) He is very obedient to his parents' wishes. / 我们的市场策略不能总是被动防守。(Wǒmen de shìchǎng cèlüè bùnéng zǒng shì bèidòng fángshǒu.) Our market strategy cannot always be passively defensive.
Similar to "顺从", "听话" means obedient, which can seem close to being passive. But "听话" is more about listening to and following instructions.
"被动" describes a lack of initiative or being in a reactive state. "听话" describes being compliant and following what is said.
这个孩子很听话，从不惹麻烦。(Zhège háizi hěn tīnghuà, cóng bù rě máfan.) This child is very obedient and never causes trouble. / 在这种情况下，我们不能被动等待。(Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen bùnéng bèidòng děngdài.) In this situation, we cannot passively wait.
खुद को परखो 30 सवाल
This sentence means 'He is too passive.' The word order for 'too passive' is '太 (tài) + adjective + 了 (le)'.
This sentence means 'Don't always be so passive.' '不要 (búyào)' means 'don't', '总是 (zǒngshì)' means 'always', and '那么 (nàme)' means 'so'.
This sentence means 'She doesn't like to passively accept arrangements.' '不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān)' means 'doesn't like', '被动地 (bèidòng de)' means 'passively', '接受 (jiēshòu)' means 'accept', and '安排 (ānpái)' means 'arrangements'.
Describe a time you felt passive in a situation. What happened and how did you react (or not react)?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
上周，我的朋友们决定去看电影，但我对他们选择的电影不感兴趣。我感到很被动，没有提出任何建议，只是跟着他们去了。看完电影后，我有点后悔没有表达自己的想法。
Write about a situation where being passive might be a good thing. For example, when you don't want to cause conflict or when you trust someone else's judgment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
有时候，在团队合作中保持被动可能是有益的。例如，当团队中有一个经验丰富且有领导力的人时，听从他们的指导并保持被动可以提高效率，避免不必要的争论。
Imagine you are in a meeting and someone is being very passive, not contributing ideas. How would you encourage them to participate more actively?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果我在会议中遇到一个被动的人，我会尝试直接问他们一些问题，比如“你对这个项目有什么想法吗？”或者“你觉得我们应该怎么做？”这样可以鼓励他们发表意见，让他们感到自己的想法受到重视。
根据短文，小李的“被动”给他的工作带来了什么影响？
Read this passage:
小李在工作中总是很被动，从来不主动承担任务，只等着别人安排。这导致他的领导觉得他缺乏积极性，同事也觉得他不够合作。久而久之，小李的工作表现受到了影响。
根据短文，小李的“被动”给他的工作带来了什么影响？
短文明确提到“久而久之，小李的工作表现受到了影响。”，说明被动对他的工作产生了负面影响。
短文明确提到“久而久之，小李的工作表现受到了影响。”，说明被动对他的工作产生了负面影响。
短文对比了两种人面对困难时的态度。其中一种人“表现得很被动”，这意味着他们：
Read this passage:
面对生活中的困难，有些人选择积极应对，努力解决问题；而另一些人则表现得很被动，常常等待事情自行解决，或者寄希望于别人的帮助。
短文对比了两种人面对困难时的态度。其中一种人“表现得很被动”，这意味着他们：
短文指出“另一些人则表现得很被动，常常等待事情自行解决，或者寄希望于别人的帮助”，这直接解释了“被动”在这里的含义。
短文指出“另一些人则表现得很被动，常常等待事情自行解决，或者寄希望于别人的帮助”，这直接解释了“被动”在这里的含义。
小王在辩论赛中“被动”的表现，主要是因为：
Read this passage:
在一次辩论赛中，小王因为准备不足，发言时显得非常被动，总是被对手牵着鼻子走，最终导致团队失利。赛后，他深刻反思了自己的表现。
小王在辩论赛中“被动”的表现，主要是因为：
文章中提到“小王因为准备不足，发言时显得非常被动，总是被对手牵着鼻子走”，这表明他的被动是由于准备不足导致的，并被对手主导了辩论。
文章中提到“小王因为准备不足，发言时显得非常被动，总是被对手牵着鼻子走”，这表明他的被动是由于准备不足导致的，并被对手主导了辩论。
This sentence describes someone who passively accepts arrangements. '被动地' (passively) acts as an adverb modifying '接受' (accept).
This sentence indicates a change in behavior, where '她' (she) is no longer '被动' (passive) in '这个项目' (this project).
This sentence suggests that one should not always passively wait for opportunities. '被动地' (passively) describes the action of '等待' (waiting).
她总是很___，从不主动表达自己的想法。
句子描述她不主动表达想法，所以“被动”最符合语境。
在团队讨论中，他很少发言，显得有些___。
“很少发言”暗示了他不积极参与，所以“被动”是正确的选择。
这种___的态度可能会让你错过很多机会。
“错过很多机会”说明这种态度是不好的，与“被动”相符。
我们不应该___地接受别人的意见，要有自己的判断。
“要有自己的判断”表明不应该没有主见地接受意见，即“被动”接受。
公司鼓励员工发挥___性，而不是___地等待指示。
“发挥…性”是正面的，“等待指示”是不够主动的，所以是“主动”和“被动”的搭配。
面对挑战，他是___应对还是___回避？
“应对”是积极的，“回避”是不积极的，因此是“主动”应对和“被动”回避。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 他在会议上总是很___，很少主动发言。
The sentence indicates that 'he rarely speaks proactively in meetings,' which aligns with the meaning of '被动' (passive).
哪句话中的“被动”使用得最恰当？
Being passive implies accepting something without active resistance or enthusiasm. Accepting a gift fits this description. The other options imply active participation that is unwilling, which is a different nuance.
Which of the following situations best describes a '被动' attitude?
Waiting for others to assign tasks and not taking initiative is a clear characteristic of a passive attitude.
在团队合作中，一个被动的人往往能更好地领导团队。
A passive person typically follows rather than leads, making it unlikely they would lead a team effectively.
“被动”通常用来形容一个人在某件事情上缺乏积极性或主动性。
This statement accurately defines the common usage of '被动' as lacking initiative or proactiveness.
如果一个人非常喜欢学习，那么他学习的态度就是被动的。
Liking to learn implies an active and positive attitude towards learning, which is the opposite of being passive.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
academic के और शब्द
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
