B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 3

The Passive Voice: When Things Happen to You

7 Total Rules
72 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of the Chinese passive voice to sound more natural and descriptive.

  • Master the 'bèi' (被) structure for standard passive sentences.
  • Use 'gěi' (给) and 'ràng/jiào' (让/叫) for casual, everyday conversations.
  • Apply 'shòudào' (受到) to express receiving abstract influences and praise.
Stop doing, start being done to.

What You'll Learn

Ready to level up your Chinese and sound more natural? This chapter is all about understanding the passive voice – how to talk about things that happen *to* people or objects, especially when you don't know who did it, or you want to focus on the event itself. It sounds complicated, but trust me, it's super useful and actually pretty fun in Chinese! We'll dive into 7 key ways to use the passive. First, you'll master 'bèi' (被). This powerful word is often used for slightly unfortunate events – think

My phone was stolen
or
My bag was snatched.
You'll learn how to clearly state what happened to something. Then, we'll get colloquial with 'gěi' (给), a more casual way to express something happening, like
My cake got eaten by my friend.
After that, 'ràng/jiào' (让/叫) will teach you how to say things like
My friend made me do it
or
I was made to wait,
in a relaxed, everyday tone. Finally, you'll discover 'shòudào' (受到), perfect for describing receiving abstract things like praise, attention, or influence –
I received a lot of praise.
Imagine chatting with friends and being able to say,
My photo got liked!
or
I was helped on the street.
Or even
This award was given to me.
By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently navigate these everyday situations. You won't just be learning grammar; you'll be unlocking a whole new way to tell stories and share your experiences in Chinese. Let's make your Chinese even more awesome!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to describe an unfortunate event using the 'bèi' (被) structure correctly.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to differentiate between formal and informal passive markers in speech.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to express receiving abstract concepts like 'welcome' or 'influence' using 'shòudào'.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to your next step in mastering Chinese grammar! As you progress to the B2 level, understanding the nuances of the passive voice isn't just about correctness; it's about sounding truly natural and expressing yourself with greater sophistication. This chapter, "The Passive Voice: When Things Happen to You," is designed to unlock a whole new dimension of storytelling in Chinese. We'll explore how to talk about events where the focus is on the recipient of an action, rather than the doer, which is a critical skill for any B2 Chinese learner.
Many learners find the Chinese passive voice initially challenging because it doesn't always map directly to English structures. However, once you grasp the core patterns, you'll see how incredibly useful and versatile they are. From expressing unfortunate incidents like "My phone was stolen" to receiving abstract concepts like "attention" or "praise," the passive voice allows you to describe a wider range of real-life situations. Get ready to dive into the powerful particles 被 (bèi), 给 (gěi), 让/叫 (ràng/jiào), and the formal 受到 (shòudào), each with its own special "flavor" and usage context. Mastering these will significantly enhance your ability to communicate complex ideas and engage in more dynamic conversations.

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the different ways to form the passive voice in Chinese, making your communication clearer and more natural. First up is 被 (bèi), often introduced as "The Passive 'bèi' (被): How Things Happen to You." This is the most common and versatile passive marker, typically used for slightly negative or unfortunate events. The basic structure is: Subject + 被 + (Agent) + Verb + Other elements. For example: 我的手机被偷了 (Wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le) – "My phone was stolen." Here, the agent (the thief) is often omitted if unknown or unimportant.
Next, we have "The Colloquial Passive (给)," which uses 给 (gěi). While 给 can mean "to give," in its passive form, it's often more casual and can sometimes replace 被, especially in spoken Chinese, and usually for negative outcomes. For instance: 我的蛋糕给朋友吃了 (Wǒ de dànggāo gěi péngyǒu chī le) – "My cake was eaten by my friend." This gives a slightly lighter, less formal tone than 被.
Then there's "Casual Passive with 让/叫(ràng/jiào)," which employs 让 (ràng) or 叫 (jiào). These are also quite common in colloquial speech and can express being 'made to' do something, or something happening to you, similar to 被 but often implying an external influence or instruction. For example: 我被老板叫去开会了 (Wǒ bèi lǎobǎn jiào qù kāihuì le) – "I was made to go to a meeting by my boss." Or, 我的计划让大雨耽误了 (Wǒ de jìhuà ràng dàyǔ dànwu le) – "My plan was delayed by the heavy rain."
Finally, for a more formal and specific passive, we use "Chinese Passive Vibe: How to use '受到' (shòudào)." 受到 (shòudào) means "to receive" or "to suffer" and is primarily used with abstract nouns, often for positive or neutral experiences like praise, attention, or influence. For example: 他受到了很多表扬 (Tā shòudào le hěn duō biǎoyáng) – "He received a lot of praise." Or, 他的观点受到了广泛关注 (Tā de guāndiǎn shòudào le guǎngfàn guānzhù) – "His views received widespread attention." Each of these structures adds a unique flavor to your B2 Chinese communication.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我的手机被。 (Wǒ de shǒujī bèi.)
✓ Correct: 我的手机被偷了。 (Wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le.)
*Explanation:* The passive marker 被 (bèi) must always be followed by a verb and usually other elements (like 了 le for completion). It cannot stand alone.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我被帮助了。 (Wǒ bèi bāngzhù le.)
✓ Correct: 我得到了帮助。 (Wǒ dédào le bāngzhù.) OR 有人帮助了我。 (Yǒurén bāngzhù le wǒ.)
*Explanation:* While 被 (bèi) can be used for positive events, it often carries a subtle nuance of being "affected" or "suffering" the action. For purely positive or neutral events, it's often more natural to use the active voice, or phrases like 得到 (dédào) "to obtain/receive."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我把钱包给小偷偷了。 (Wǒ bǎ qiánbāo gěi xiǎotōu tōu le.)
✓ Correct: 我的钱包被小偷偷了。 (Wǒ de qiánbāo bèi xiǎotōu tōu le.) OR 我的钱包给小偷偷了。 (Wǒ de qiánbāo gěi xiǎotōu tōu le.)
*Explanation:* Don't combine the 把 (bǎ) structure with the passive 给 (gěi) or 被 (bèi) in this way. The 把 structure is active, while 被 and 给 introduce passive sentences.

Real Conversations

A

A

你的自行车怎么了？ (Nǐ de zìxíngchē zěnme le?) (What happened to your bicycle?)
B

B

哎，我的自行车被偷了。 (Āi, wǒ de zìxíngchē bèi tōu le.) (Oh, my bicycle was stolen.)
A

A

听说你昨天迟到了？ (Tīngshuō nǐ zuótiān chídào le?) (I heard you were late yesterday?)
B

B

是啊，我被堵在路上了，很无奈。 (Shì a, wǒ bèi dǔ zài lùshàng le, hěn wúnài.) (Yeah, I got stuck in traffic, very frustrating.)
A

A

你的论文怎么样了？ (Nǐ de lùnwén zěnmeyàng le?) (How's your thesis going?)
B

B

导师的意见很多，我的论文受到了很大的修改。 (Dǎoshī de yìjiàn hěn duō, wǒ de lùnwén shòudào le hěn dà de xiūgǎi.) (The supervisor had many comments, my thesis underwent significant revision.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Can 被 (bèi) be used for positive events in Chinese grammar?

While 被 (bèi) is most commonly associated with unfortunate events, it can occasionally be used for positive or neutral ones, especially when emphasizing the recipient's experience or the unexpected nature of the event. However, it's often more natural to use the active voice or specific verbs like 得到 (dédào) for purely positive outcomes.

Q

What's the main difference between 被 (bèi) and 让 (ràng) in the passive voice?

Both 被 (bèi) and 让 (ràng) can indicate a passive action. 被 (bèi) is more formal and universally applicable, often implying a negative or undesirable outcome. 让 (ràng) is more colloquial, often used for "being made to" do something or something happening due to an external force, and can sometimes feel less formal than 被.

Q

Is there a "true" passive voice in Chinese, similar to English's "be + past participle"?

Chinese doesn't have a direct equivalent of "be + past participle" as a universal passive marker. Instead, it uses various particles like 被 (bèi), 给 (gěi), 让 (ràng), 叫 (jiào), and constructions like 受到 (shòudào), each with specific nuances and contexts, to convey passive meaning.

Q

When should I use 受到 (shòudào) instead of 被 (bèi) for passive constructions?

Use 受到 (shòudào) when the subject "receives" or "experiences" an abstract noun, such as praise (表扬), attention (关注), influence (影响), education (教育), or criticism (批评). It's more formal and focuses on the reception of an abstract concept, whereas 被 (bèi) is used for direct actions.

Cultural Context

In Chinese, the active voice is generally preferred, making passive constructions less frequent than in English. However, when used, the passive voice, particularly with 被 (bèi), often highlights the outcome or the affected party, especially if the agent is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately omitted. Using 给 (gěi), 让 (ràng), or 叫 (jiào) adds a layer of colloquialism, making your speech sound more authentic and less bookish, reflecting everyday conversations. 受到 (shòudào), on the other hand, elevates the tone for more formal or academic discourse when discussing receiving abstract concepts.

Key Examples (8)

1

我被发现了。

I was discovered.

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)
2

我的手机被偷了。

My phone was stolen.

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)
3

我的手机被偷了。

My phone was stolen.

Passive Voice with 被 (Bèi): The 'Victim' Sentence
4

蛋糕被弟弟吃完了。

The cake was finished by my younger brother.

Passive Voice with 被 (Bèi): The 'Victim' Sentence
5

我的手机被偷了。

My phone was stolen.

The Passive 'bèi' (被): How Things Happen to You
6

那个视频被删掉了。

That video was deleted.

The Passive 'bèi' (被): How Things Happen to You
7

我的可乐被喝了。

My cola was drunk.

The `被` (bèi) Passive: Talking About Unfortunate Events
8

他的新车被撞了。

His new car was hit/crashed.

The `被` (bèi) Passive: Talking About Unfortunate Events

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Check the result

Always ensure there is a resultative complement after the verb. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)
💡

Avoid positive passive

Never use {被|bèi} for good things. It sounds like you're complaining.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice with 被 (Bèi): The 'Victim' Sentence
💡

Avoid Positive Passive

Never use {被|bèi} for good things like 'I was given a gift'. Use active voice instead.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Passive 'bèi' (被): How Things Happen to You
💡

Check the Verb

Always ensure the verb has a resultative complement (like 'le', 'diao', 'zou').
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The `被` (bèi) Passive: Talking About Unfortunate Events

Key Vocabulary (7)

偷 to steal 丢 to lose / to throw away 表扬 to praise / to commend 骗 to cheat / to trick 撞 to hit / to collide 批评 to criticize 欢迎 to welcome

Real-World Preview

alert-triangle

Reporting a Theft

users

Gossiping with Friends

Review Summary

  • Subj. + 被 (bèi) + Doer + Verb + Result
  • Subj. + 被 + Doer + 给 (gěi) + Verb
  • Subj. + 让/叫 (ràng/jiào) + Doer + Verb
  • Subj. + 受到 (shòudào) + Abstract Noun

Common Mistakes

Negation words like 'méi' or 'bù' must come BEFORE 'bèi', not after it.

Wrong: 我被没偷钱包 (wǒ bèi méi tōu qián bāo)
Correct: 我没被偷钱包 (wǒ méi bèi tōu qián bāo)

When using 'ràng' or 'jiào', you MUST include the person who did the action. If you don't know who it is, use 'rén' (person).

Wrong: 我的手机让拿走了 (wǒ de shǒu jī ràng ná zǒu le)
Correct: 我的手机让人拿走了 (wǒ de shǒu jī ràng rén ná zǒu le)

'Shòudào' is for abstract things (praise, influence). For physical gifts, use 'shōudào' (收到 - same sound, different character/meaning).

Wrong: 我受到一个礼物 (wǒ shòu dào yí gè lǐ wù)
Correct: 我收到了一个礼物 (wǒ shōu dào le yí gè lǐ wù)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked a major part of sounding like a fluent Chinese speaker. Keep practicing these passive structures, and soon they will feel like second nature!

Journaling

Roleplay a 'lost and found' scenario

Continue to: Emphasis and Necessity

Quick Practice (10)

Is this sentence natural?

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {很|hěn} {爱|ài}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Unnatural
Don't use passive for positive emotions.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)

Fill in the blank with 收到 or 受到.

我昨天____了一封信。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 收到
Letters are physical objects.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Passive Vibe: How to use '受到' (shòudào)

Which sentence is correct?

Choose the natural sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {书|shū} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}
Needs agent and particle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Colloquial Passive (给)

Pick the best fit.

Which is most colloquial?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}
Most natural colloquial form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Colloquial Passive (给)

Fill in the blank.

我___他骗了。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 叫
Both 让 and 叫 work, but 叫 is very common.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Casual Passive with {让/叫|ràng/jiào}

Which is correct?

Select the natural sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他送了我礼物
Avoid passive for positive events.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Passive 'bèi' (被): How Things Happen to You

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

他被老师批评。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他被老师批评了
Needs a resultative complement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice with 被 (Bèi): The 'Victim' Sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他收到了一本书
Books are physical.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Passive Vibe: How to use '受到' (shòudào)

Choose the best fit.

The policy was supported by the public.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 政策受到支持
Abstract support.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Chinese Passive Vibe: How to use '受到' (shòudào)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

{蛋糕|dàngāo} {给|gěi} {吃|chī} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {蛋糕|dàngāo} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {吃光|chīguāng} {了|le}
Needs agent and complement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Colloquial Passive (给)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, it's mostly for negative or objective events.
No, you can omit it if it's unknown.
No, it sounds unnatural. Use active voice instead.
{被|bèi} is formal, {叫|jiào} is colloquial.
No, only for passive voice, and usually negative events.
Just omit the agent! {手机|shǒujī}{被|bèi}{偷|tōu}{了|le}.
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