B2 Advanced Patterns 12 min read Medium

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)

Use 被 (bèi) to show what happened to someone, especially in negative or accidental situations.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {被|bèi} to indicate that the subject is the recipient of an action rather than the doer.

  • Structure: Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb + Other elements (e.g., {他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {打|dǎ} {了|le}).
  • The agent can be omitted if unknown or irrelevant (e.g., {书|shū} {被|bèi} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}).
  • Usually implies a negative or undesirable outcome, though neutral usage exists in formal contexts.
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb + Result

Overview

The Chinese passive voice, marked chiefly by the character 被 (bèi), is a fundamental structure for B2 learners to master. Unlike the English passive, which is a neutral grammatical transformation, the 被 structure is deeply rooted in a semantic context of being adversely affected. Its core function is to shift the sentence's focus from the actor (agent) to the receiver of the action, effectively making the grammatical subject the entity that has something done to it.

This is crucial for expressing events where the outcome or impact on the receiver is more important than who performed the action.

Historically, 被 was a verb meaning "to suffer" or "to receive," and this origin heavily colors its modern usage. While it has grammaticalized into a passive marker, it retains a strong connotation of misfortune, lack of control, or an undesirable outcome. Think of it less as a simple voice change and more as a way to frame an event from the perspective of the one on the receiving end, who is often a 'victim' of circumstance.

While neutral and even positive uses exist, particularly in formal written Chinese, the default conversational flavor of 被 is negative. Understanding this semantic weight is the key to using it idiomatically.

Mastering 被 allows you to move beyond simple active sentences (小偷偷了我的钱包 - A thief stole my wallet) to more nuanced, topic-focused expressions (我的钱包被偷了 - My wallet was stolen). This structure is essential for narrating complex events, reporting incidents, and describing situations where the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or deliberately de-emphasized. It aligns with the topic-prominent nature of Mandarin, where the 'topic' of the sentence is often introduced first, followed by a 'comment' about it.

How This Grammar Works

The 被 construction re-orders a standard active sentence to prioritize the receiver of the action. An active sentence generally follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern, where the subject is the agent performing the action. The passive voice flips this, placing the receiver in the topic position (as the new subject) and introducing the agent (if mentioned) with 被.
The core principle is moving from Agent + Verb + Receiver to Receiver + 被 + (Agent) + Verb Phrase. For example:
  • Active: 妈妈批评了我。 (māma pīpíng le wǒ. - Mom criticized me.)
  • Passive: 我被妈妈批评了。 (wǒ bèi māma pīpíng le. - I was criticized by Mom.)
Notice how the focus shifts from what 'Mom did' to what 'happened to me'. This is the primary function of the 被 structure.
A crucial, non-negotiable feature of the 被 pattern is that the verb phrase must be complex. A lone verb after 被 (and the agent) is almost always ungrammatical in modern Mandarin. The verb needs an 'other element' to show the result, completion, or consequence of the action.
The logic is that if something was done to the receiver, there must be an outcome. The action cannot just hang in the air.
This "other element" makes the verb phrase complete. You cannot say *我的蛋糕被吃 (My cake was eaten). You must specify the result:
  • 我的蛋糕被吃完了。 (wǒ de dàngāo bèi chī wán le. - My cake was eaten up.) 完 is a resultative complement showing the cake is gone.
  • 我的蛋糕被吃了一半。 (wǒ de dàngāo bèi chī le yī bàn. - Half of my cake was eaten.) 了一半 is a quantitative complement specifying the extent.
This requirement for a verb complement is the most significant structural difference from the English passive, where "The cake was eaten" is a complete sentence. In Chinese, the passive demands a resolution. The event must have a tangible impact described by the complement.

Formation Pattern

1
The 被 passive construction follows a strict and predictable formula. Internalizing this pattern is essential for correct usage. The components must appear in the correct order.
2
The Core Formula:
3
[Receiver] + [Adverb/Modal Verb (optional)] + 没(有) (negation, optional) + 被 + [Agent (optional)] + [Verb] + [Other Element]
4
Let's break this down in a table:
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| Component | Description | Example Sentence: 我的自行车被邻居骑走了。 (My bike was ridden away by the neighbor.) |
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| :--- | :--- | :--- |
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| Receiver | The subject of the passive sentence; the person or thing affected by the verb. | 我的自行车 (wǒ de zìxíngchē - my bicycle) |
8
| 被 (bèi) | The core passive marker. It follows the receiver. | 被 (bèi) |
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| Agent (Optional) | The doer of the action. If specified, it comes directly after 被. Often omitted. | 邻居 (línjū - neighbor) |
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| Verb | The action performed. Must be a verb that can logically have a receiver. | 骑 (qí - to ride) |
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| Other Element | CRUCIAL. Completes the verb phrase. This is not optional. | 走了 (zǒu le - away; a directional complement + aspect particle) |
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Types of "Other Element":
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Resultative Complement: Shows the result of the verb. 杯子被他打碎了。 (bēizi bèi tā dǎ suì le. - The cup was smashed by him.)
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Directional Complement: Shows the direction of the action. 球被踢进去了。 (qiú bèi tī jìnqù le. - The ball was kicked inside.)
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Aspect Particle 了 (le) or 过 (guo): Indicates completion or past experience. 这个问题已经被讨论过了。 (zhège wèntí yǐjīng bèi tǎolùn guo le. - This problem has already been discussed before.)
16
Quantity/Duration Complement: Specifies the extent or duration. 他在外面被雨淋了一个小时。 (tā zài wàimiàn bèi yǔ lín le yīgè xiǎoshí. - He was rained on outside for an hour.)
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Negation
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To negate a 被 sentence, you must place 没 (méi) or 没有 (méiyǒu) before 被.
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Correct: 他的手机没有被找到。 (tā de shǒujī méiyǒu bèi zhǎodào. - His phone was not found.)
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Incorrect: *他的手机被没找到。
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Modal Verbs and Adverbs
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Modal verbs (能, 可以, 应该) and adverbs (已经, 总是, 也) also come before 被.
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Modal Verb: 这个秘密应该被保守。 (zhège mìmì yīnggāi bèi bǎoshǒu. - This secret should be kept.)
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Adverb: 我的计划总是被他打乱。 (wǒ de jìhuà zǒngshì bèi tā dǎluàn. - My plans are always disrupted by him.)
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Questions
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Form questions by adding a particle like 吗 (ma) or by replacing the unknown information with a question word.
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With 吗: 你的行李被检查了吗？ (nǐ de xínglǐ bèi jiǎnchá le ma? - Was your luggage inspected?)
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With a question word: 谁的电脑被拿走了？ (shéi de diànnǎo bèi názǒu le? - Whose computer was taken away?)

When To Use It

Knowing when to use 被 is a matter of understanding its pragmatic and semantic functions, which go far beyond a simple grammatical choice. Here are the primary contexts for its use.
1. To Describe Unfortunate, Negative, or Uncontrolled Events
This is the most common, textbook use of 被. It perfectly frames situations where the subject is a victim or is adversely affected. The negative connotation is often automatic in conversational Chinese.
  • 我的车被撞了。 (wǒ de chē bèi zhuàng le. - My car was hit.)
  • 他被公司开除了。 (tā bèi gōngsī kāichú le. - He was fired by the company.)
  • 我们的航班被取消了。 (wǒmen de hángbān bèi qǔxiāo le. - Our flight was canceled.)
2. When the Agent is Unknown, Unimportant, or Obvious
If you don't know who did the action, or it doesn't matter, 被 is the ideal way to structure the sentence by omitting the agent. This keeps the focus on the event itself.
  • 钱包被偷了。 (qiánbāo bèi tōu le. - The wallet was stolen.) (Agent is unknown.)
  • 路修好了。 (lù xiū hǎo le.) can also be phrased as 路被修好了。 (lù bèi xiū hǎo le. - The road has been repaired.) (The agent, construction workers, is obvious/unimportant.)
3. To Shift Rhetorical Focus to the Receiver
Even when the agent is known and the event isn't catastrophic, 被 can be used to emphasize the experience of the receiver. It answers the question "What happened to X?" rather than "What did Y do?".
  • Active: 老师表扬了他。 (lǎoshī biǎoyáng le tā. - The teacher praised him.) - Focus is on the teacher's action.
  • Passive: 他被老师表扬了。 (tā bèi lǎoshī biǎoyáng le. - He was praised by the teacher.) - Focus is on his experience of being praised. This usage often feels a bit more formal or detached.
4. In Formal, Objective, and Written Contexts (Neutral Usage)
In news reports, academic papers, technical manuals, and official announcements, 被 sheds much of its negative connotation and functions as a neutral passive marker, much like in English. This objective tone is crucial for formal communication.
  • 这座桥梁被设计成可以抵抗八级地震。 (zhè zuò qiáoliáng bèi shèjì chéng kěyǐ dǐkàng bā jí dìzhèn. - This bridge was designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake.)
  • 一项新政策已被通过。 (yī xiàng xīn zhèngcè yǐ bèi tōngguò. - A new policy has been passed.)
5. When the Active Voice Subject is Awkward
Sometimes, the active voice would require a vague subject like 有人 (yǒurén - someone) or 大家 (dàjiā - everyone), which can be clumsy. The passive offers a more elegant and direct alternative.
  • Awkward Active: 有人把我的午饭吃光了。 (Yǒurén bǎ wǒ de wǔfàn chī guāng le. - Someone ate up my lunch.)
  • Natural Passive: 我的午饭被吃光了。 (wǒ de wǔfàn bèi chī guāng le. - My lunch was eaten up.)

Common Mistakes

Learners often make a few predictable errors with 被. Understanding these will help you avoid them and sound more natural.
Mistake 1: Using 被 for Clearly Positive Events in Conversation
While formal writing allows neutral 被, in casual speech, using 被 for a positive event can sound strange or even sarcastic, as if the good fortune was an imposition.
  • Awkward: 我被妈妈表扬了。 (wǒ bèi māma biǎoyáng le. - I was praised by my mom.)
  • Why it's awkward: It sounds like the praise was something you endured. Native speakers would almost always prefer the active voice or a different structure.
  • More Natural: 妈妈表扬我了。 (māma biǎoyáng wǒ le.) or 我得到了妈妈的表扬。 (wǒ dédàole māma de biǎoyáng. - I received my mom's praise.)
Mistake 2: The Incomplete Verb Phrase (The #1 Error)
As emphasized earlier, a verb in a 被 sentence cannot stand alone. Forgetting the complement is the most common grammatical error.
  • Incorrect: *窗户被打破。 (chuānghu bèi dǎ pò.)
  • Correct: 窗户被打破了。 (chuānghu bèi dǎ pò le.) The particle 了 completes the thought, indicating a finished action and a new state.
  • Incorrect: *他的想法被我们拒绝。 (tā de xiǎngfǎ bèi wǒmen jùjué.)
  • Correct: 他的想法被我们拒绝了。 (tā de xiǎngfǎ bèi wǒmen jùjué le.)
Mistake 3: Incorrect Placement of Negation and Adverbs
Words that modify the entire event, like 没, 不, 已经, 可能, must come before the 被. Placing them after 被 is a serious structural error.
  • Incorrect: *作业被老师没收走。
  • Correct: 作业没有被老师收走。 (zuòyè méiyǒu bèi lǎoshī shōuzǒu. - The homework was not collected by the teacher.)
Mistake 4: Confusing 被 with 让 (ràng) and 叫 (jiào)
These two words can also form passive-like structures, but with key differences. They are more colloquial than 被 and require an agent. You cannot omit the doer of the action.
  • 我的自行车叫他骑走了。 (wǒ de zìxíngchē jiào tā qí zǒu le.) - Colloquial, agent required.
  • 我的自行车让风刮倒了。 (wǒ de zìxíngchē ràng fēng guā dǎo le.) - Can be used with an inanimate agent.
  • You cannot say *我的自行车叫骑走了 because there is no agent.
Think of 让 and 叫 as the casual, spoken equivalents of 被 that are less flexible because they must name the agent.

Real Conversations

Here’s how 被 appears in everyday modern communication, from texts to formal notices.

S

Scenario 1

Complaining to a friend via text
A

A

气死我了！我新买的耳机被我家狗咬坏了！😭

(qì sǐ wǒ le! wǒ xīn mǎi de ěrjī bèi wǒjiā gǒu yǎo huài le!)

(I'm furious! My new headphones were chewed up and broken by my dog! 😭)

B

B

啊？这么惨！贵的吗？

(a? zhème cǎn! guì de ma?)

(Oh no! That's awful! Were they expensive?)

S

Scenario 2

A formal notice in an office messaging app

通知：由于系统升级，所有账户将在今晚10点被暂时锁定，预计明天早上6点恢复正常。

(tōngzhī: yóuyú xìtǒng shēngjí, suǒyǒu zhànghù jiāng zài jīnwǎn 10 diǎn bèi zànshí suǒdìng, yùjì míngtiān zǎoshang 6 diǎn huīfù zhèngcháng.)

(Notice: Due to a system upgrade, all accounts will be temporarily locked at 10 PM tonight. Service is expected to be restored at 6 AM tomorrow.)

Here, 被 is used in a neutral, objective way suitable for a formal announcement.*

S

Scenario 3

Social media post about a movie

刚看完《流浪地球》，完全被里面的特效震撼到了！国产科幻真的崛起了！

(gāng kàn wán «liúlàng dìqiú», wánquán bèi lǐmiàn de tèxiào zhènhàn dào le! guóchǎn kēhuàn zhēn de juéqǐ le!)

(Just finished watching 'The Wandering Earth', was completely blown away by the special effects! Chinese sci-fi has really risen!)

This is a common quasi-positive use where 被 emphasizes a powerful, overwhelming sensory experience.*

Quick FAQ

Is 被 always negative?
No, but it's a very strong tendency in conversation. In formal, written language (news, academic, technical), it is often completely neutral. You'll also see it used for overwhelming emotional or sensory experiences, like 被感动了 (bèi gǎndòng le - to be moved/touched), which are positive but still represent an external force acting upon you.
Can I always just use the active voice instead?
Grammatically, you can often rephrase a passive sentence into an active one, but you lose the specific focus and nuance. When the agent is unknown or irrelevant (窗户被打破了), the passive voice is far more natural and concise than saying 有人打破了窗户 (Someone broke the window).
What is the single most important rule for using 被?
The verb phrase must be completed with an additional element. A bare verb is ungrammatical. 我的手机被偷 is wrong; 我的手机被偷了 is right. You must show the outcome of the action.
Can the agent be an abstract concept?
Yes, absolutely. This is common in more literary or expressive language. For example: 他被自己的诺言束缚住了 (tā bèi zìjǐ de nuòyán shùfù zhù le - He was bound by his own promise). Here, the abstract agent is 诺言 (promise).

Passive Construction Formula

Component Function Example
Receiver
The subject
{书|shū}
被
Passive marker
{被|bèi}
Agent
The doer
{我|wǒ}
Verb
Action
{拿走|názǒu}
Complement
Result
{了|le}

Meanings

The {被|bèi} construction is used to highlight the patient (receiver) of an action, shifting focus away from the agent.

1

Adversarial Passive

Used when something negative happens to the subject.

“{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {雨|yǔ} {淋|lín} {湿|shī} {了|le}。”

“{他|tā} {被|bèi} {老师|lǎoshī} {批评|pīpíng} {了|le}。”

2

Formal/Objective Passive

Used in news or academic writing to report events objectively.

“{这项|zhèxiàng} {计划|jìhuà} {被|bèi} {政府|zhèngfǔ} {批准|pīzhǔn} {了|le}。”

“{会议|huìyì} {被|bèi} {推迟|tuīchí} {到|dào} {明天|míngtiān} {了|le}。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb + Result
{花|huā} {被|bèi} {猫|māo} {打碎|dǎsuì} {了|le}
Negative
Receiver + 没(有) + 被 + Agent + Verb + Result
{花|huā} {没|méi} {被|bèi} {猫|māo} {打碎|dǎsuì}
Agentless
Receiver + 被 + Verb + Result
{书|shū} {被|bèi} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}
Question
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb + Result + 吗?
{书|shū} {被|bèi} {你|nǐ} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le} {吗|ma}?
Adversarial
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb + Result
{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {他|tā} {骂|mà} {了|le}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {击碎|jīsuì} {了|le}。

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {击碎|jīsuì} {了|le}。 (Accident)

Neutral
{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {打碎|dǎsuì} {了|le}。

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {打碎|dǎsuì} {了|le}。 (Accident)

Informal
{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {弄碎|nòngsuì} {了|le}。

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {弄碎|nòngsuì} {了|le}。 (Accident)

Slang
{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {搞|gǎo} {烂|làn} {了|le}。

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {搞|gǎo} {烂|làn} {了|le}。 (Accident)

The Passive Flow

被 (bèi)

Focus

  • Receiver The person/thing affected

Agent

  • Doer The person/thing acting
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Examples by Level

1

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {雨|yǔ} {淋|lín} {了|le}。

I was rained on.

2

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {老师|lǎoshī} {叫|jiào} {了|le}。

He was called by the teacher.

3

{饭|fàn} {被|bèi} {吃|chī} {了|le}。

The food was eaten.

4

{球|qiú} {被|bèi} {踢|tī} {了|le}。

The ball was kicked.

1

{钱包|qiánbāo} {被|bèi} {小偷|xiǎotōu} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。

The wallet was stolen by a thief.

2

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} {风|fēng} {吹开|chuīkāi} {了|le}。

The window was blown open by the wind.

3

{作业|zuòyè} {被|bèi} {狗|gǒu} {撕烂|sīlàn} {了|le}。

The homework was torn up by the dog.

4

{花|huā} {被|bèi} {猫|māo} {打翻|dǎfān} {了|le}。

The flowers were knocked over by the cat.

1

{这|zhè} {个|gè} {问题|wèntí} {被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} {讨论|tǎolùn} {了|le} {很|hěn} {久|jiǔ}。

This problem was discussed by everyone for a long time.

2

{会议|huìyì} {被|bèi} {推迟|tuīchí} {到|dào} {下|xià} {周|zhōu} {了|le}。

The meeting was postponed until next week.

3

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {公司|gōngsī} {派|pài} {到|dào} {上海|shànghǎi} {工作|gōngzuò} {了|le}。

He was sent to Shanghai by the company to work.

4

{这|zhè} {本|běn} {书|shū} {被|bèi} {翻译|fānyì} {成|chéng} {了|le} {多|duō} {种|zhǒng} {语言|yǔyán}。

This book was translated into many languages.

1

{该|gāi} {项目|xiàngmù} {被|bèi} {委员会|wěiyuánhuì} {一致|yīzhì} {通过|tōngguò} {了|le}。

The project was unanimously approved by the committee.

2

{由于|yóuyú} {大雪|dàxuě}，{航班|hángbān} {被|bèi} {取消|qǔxiāo} {了|le}。

Due to heavy snow, the flight was cancelled.

3

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {指控|zhǐkòng} {犯|fàn} {了|le} {严重|yánzhòng} {的|de} {错误|cuòwù}。

He was accused of committing a serious error.

4

{这|zhè} {座|zuò} {桥|qiáo} {被|bèi} {设计|shèjì} {得|de} {非常|fēicháng} {坚固|jiāngù}。

This bridge was designed to be very sturdy.

1

{此|cǐ} {项|xiàng} {研究|yánjiū} {被|bèi} {学术界|xuéshùjiè} {广泛|guǎngfàn} {引用|yǐnyòng}。

This research is widely cited by the academic community.

2

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {舆论|yúlùn} {推向|tuīxiàng} {了|le} {风口浪尖|fēngkǒulàngjiān}。

He was pushed to the forefront of public opinion.

3

{该|gāi} {政策|zhèngcè} {被|bèi} {认为|rènwéi} {是|shì} {解决|jiějué} {问题|wèntí} {的|de} {关键|guānjiàn}。

The policy is considered the key to solving the problem.

4

{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {现象|xiànxiàng} {被|bèi} {社会学家|shèhuìxuéjiā} {长期|chángqī} {关注|guānzhù}。

This phenomenon has been long-term observed by sociologists.

1

{其|qí} {言论|yánlùn} {被|bèi} {视为|shìwéi} {对|duì} {传统|chuántǒng} {的|de} {挑战|tiǎo衅|tiǎoxìn}。

His remarks were regarded as a provocation to tradition.

2

{该|gāi} {法案|fǎ'àn} {被|bèi} {议会|yìhuì} {搁置|gēzhì} {了|le} {数|shù} {月|yuè}。

The bill was shelved by parliament for several months.

3

{这|zhè} {一|yī} {发现|fāxiàn} {被|bèi} {科学界|kēxuéjiè} {誉为|yùwéi} {本|běn} {世纪|shìjì} {最|zuì} {大|dà} {的|de} {突破|tūpò}。

This discovery was hailed by the scientific community as the greatest breakthrough of the century.

4

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {命运|mìngyùn} {捉弄|zhuōnòng}，{一生|yīshēng} {坎坷|kǎnkě}。

He was toyed with by fate, his life full of hardships.

Easily Confused

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被) vs 被 vs 把

Both involve specific word orders and resultative complements.

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被) vs 被 vs 让

Both can be used for passive-like meanings.

Chinese Passive Voice: Something was done (被) vs 被 vs 受

Both indicate receiving an action.

Common Mistakes

✗

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {吃|chī} {苹果|píngguǒ}

✓

{苹果|píngguǒ} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {吃|chī} {了|le}

Wrong word order; receiver must be first.
✗

{书|shū} {被|bèi} {拿|ná}

✓

{书|shū} {被|bèi} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}

Missing resultative complement.
✗

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {爱|ài}

✓

{我|wǒ} {爱|ài} {他|tā}

Passive is for negative/neutral, not positive emotions.
✗

{被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {打|dǎ}

✓

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {打|dǎ} {了|le}

Missing subject.
✗

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {骂|mà}

✓

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {骂|mà} {了|le}

Missing aspect marker.
✗

{苹果|píngguǒ} {被|bèi} {吃|chī} {了|le} {我|wǒ}

✓

{苹果|píngguǒ} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {吃|chī} {了|le}

Agent must be before the verb.
✗

{被|bèi} {雨|yǔ} {淋|lín}

✓

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {雨|yǔ} {淋|lín} {了|le}

Must have a receiver subject.
✗

{这|zhè} {事|shì} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {做|zuò} {好|hǎo}

✓

{这|zhè} {事|shì} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {做|zuò} {好|hǎo} {了|le}

Need to complete the aspect.
✗

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {老师|lǎoshī} {批评|pīpíng} {很|hěn} {凶|xiōng}

✓

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {老师|lǎoshī} {批评|pīpíng} {得|de} {很|hěn} {凶|xiōng}

Need 'de' for complement.
✗

{被|bèi} {人|rén} {知道|zhīdào}

✓

{这|zhè} {被|bèi} {人|rén} {知道|zhīdào} {了|le}

Need a topic/subject.
✗

{被|bèi} {认为|rènwéi} {是|shì} {正确|zhèngquè}

✓

{这|zhè} {被|bèi} {认为|rènwéi} {是|shì} {正确|zhèngquè} {的|de}

Passive needs a subject in formal writing.
✗

{被|bèi} {他|tā} {所|suǒ} {打败|dǎbài}

✓

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {他|tā} {打败|dǎbài} {了|le}

Redundant 'suo' in colloquial speech.
✗

{被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} {喜欢|xǐhuān}

✓

{他|tā} {很|hěn} {受|shòu} {大家|dàjiā} {喜欢|xǐhuān}

Use 'shou' for positive passive.
✗

{被|bèi} {他|tā} {发现|fāxiàn} {了|le} {我|wǒ}

✓

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {他|tā} {发现|fāxiàn} {了|le}

Wrong subject-object alignment.

Sentence Patterns

___ 被 ___ 拿走了。

___ 被 ___ 批评了。

___ 被 ___ 讨论了很久。

___ 被 认为 是 ___。

Real World Usage

News Report very common

{大楼|dàlóu} {被|bèi} {火|huǒ} {烧毁|shāohuǐ} {了|le}。

Texting common

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {放|fàng} {鸽子|gēzi} {了|le}！

Job Interview occasional

{我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {公司|gōngsī} {选中|xuǎnzhòng} {了|le}。

Travel common

{航班|hángbān} {被|bèi} {取消|qǔxiāo} {了|le}。

Food Delivery common

{外卖|wàimài} {被|bèi} {送|sòng} {错|cuò} {了|le}。

Social Media common

{这|zhè} {条|tiáo} {消息|xiāoxi} {被|bèi} {转发|zhuǎnfā} {了|le} {一万|yīwàn} {次|cì}。

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💡

Check the result

Always ensure there is a resultative complement after the verb. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete.
⚠️

Avoid positive passive

Don't use '被' for positive things like 'I was loved'. Use active voice instead.
🎯

Agentless passive

If you don't know who did it, just omit the agent. It's perfectly natural.
💬

Adversarial nuance

Remember that '被' often implies the subject is a victim. Use it carefully.

Smart Tips

Use '被' to emphasize the victim.

小偷 偷 了 我 的 钱包 → 我 的 钱包 被 小偷 偷 了

Use '被' for objective facts.

政府 批准 了 计划 → 计划 被 政府 批准 了

Just drop it.

有人 把 书 拿走 了 → 书 被 拿走 了

Add a complement.

花 被 猫 打碎 → 花 被 猫 打碎 了

Pronunciation

bèi (falling tone)

Tone of 被

It is a 4th tone (bèi). Ensure it is sharp and falling.

Adversarial

Subject + 被 + Agent + Verb ↓

Falling intonation at the end to emphasize the negative result.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bèi' as a 'B-E-I' (Being Effected Indeed).

Visual Association

Imagine a person being covered by a heavy blanket (被子 - bèizi). The blanket is the action happening to them.

Rhyme

When the action hits you, use 'bèi', it's the passive way.

Story

Little Ming was playing. Suddenly, his toy was taken by his brother. '我的玩具被哥哥拿走了!' he cried. The '被' shows the toy was the victim.

Word Web

被受给让叫

Challenge

Write 3 sentences today using '被' to describe things that happened to you.

Cultural Notes

Used frequently in news to report on social issues.

Similar usage, but sometimes '让' is preferred in casual speech.

Influenced by English, passive is used more often than in mainland China.

The character {被|bèi} originally meant 'quilt' or 'cover'.

Conversation Starters

“

{你|nǐ} {有|yǒu} {什么|shénme} {东西|dōngxi} {被|bèi} {偷|tōu} {过|guò} {吗|ma}?

“

{你|nǐ} {觉得|juéde} {这|zhè} {部|bù} {电影|diànyǐng} {被|bèi} {低估|dīgū} {了|le} {吗|ma}?

“

{你|nǐ} {小时候|xiǎoshíhòu} {被|bèi} {老师|lǎoshī} {批评|pīpíng} {过|guò} {吗|ma}?

“

{你|nǐ} {认为|rènwéi} {这|zhè} {项|xiàng} {政策|zhèngcè} {被|bèi} {正确|zhèngquè} {执行|zhíxíng} {了|le} {吗|ma}?

Journal Prompts

Describe a bad day where everything went wrong using the passive voice.
Write a formal report about a project that was delayed.
Reflect on a time you were misunderstood by someone.
Discuss a historical event and how it was perceived by the public.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct passive marker.

{书|shū} ___ {我|wǒ} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 被
The receiver is '书', so we use '被'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

{钱包|qiánbāo} {被|bèi} {小偷|xiǎotōu} {偷|tōu}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 钱包 被 小偷 偷走 了
Needs a resultative complement.
Choose the most natural sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我 被 老师 表扬 了
Correct structure.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 花 被 猫 打碎 了
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

The meeting was postponed.

Answer starts with: 会议 ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 会议 被 推迟 了
Passive structure.
Match the passive sentence with its active counterpart. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我 把 书 拿走 了
Active counterpart.
Is this sentence natural? Multiple Choice

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {很|hěn} {爱|ài}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Unnatural
Don't use passive for positive emotions.
Fill in the missing word.

{这|zhè} {个|gè} {问题|wèntí} {被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} {讨论|tǎolùn} ___ {很|hěn} {久|jiǔ}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 了
Aspect marker.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct passive marker.

{书|shū} ___ {我|wǒ} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 被
The receiver is '书', so we use '被'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

{钱包|qiánbāo} {被|bèi} {小偷|xiǎotōu} {偷|tōu}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 钱包 被 小偷 偷走 了
Needs a resultative complement.
Choose the most natural sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我 被 老师 表扬 了
Correct structure.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

{被|bèi} / {我|wǒ} / {花|huā} / {打碎|dǎsuì} / {了|le} / {猫|māo} / {的|de}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 花 被 猫 打碎 了
Receiver + 被 + Agent + Verb.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

The meeting was postponed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 会议 被 推迟 了
Passive structure.
Match the passive sentence with its active counterpart. Match Pairs

Match: {书|shū} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我 把 书 拿走 了
Active counterpart.
Is this sentence natural? Multiple Choice

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {很|hěn} {爱|ài}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Unnatural
Don't use passive for positive emotions.
Fill in the missing word.

{这|zhè} {个|gè} {问题|wèntí} {被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} {讨论|tǎolùn} ___ {很|hěn} {久|jiǔ}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 了
Aspect marker.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to say 'My bike was stolen.' Sentence Reorder

[{了|le}, {被|bèi}, {自行车|zìxíngchē}, {偷|tōu}, {我的|wǒde}]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我的|wǒde} {自行车|zìxíngchē} {被|bèi} {偷|tōu} {了|le}
Translate into Chinese: 'The cake was eaten by him.' Translation

The cake was eaten by him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {蛋糕|dàngāo} {被|bèi} {他|tā} {吃|chī} {了|le}
Match the Chinese passive phrase to its English meaning. Match Pairs

Match correctly:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Can you omit the agent (doer) in a `被` sentence? Multiple Choice

Which statement is true?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yes, the agent is optional.
Fill in the negative word. Fill in the Blank

{他|tā} ___ {被|bèi} {警察|jǐngchá} {抓|zhuā} {走|zǒu}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 没
Fix the word order: 'I was called by my mom.' Error Correction

{我|wǒ} {妈妈|māma} {被|bèi} {叫|jiào} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {我|wǒ} {被|bèi} {妈妈|māma} {叫|jiào} {了|le}。
Reorder: 'The secret was discovered.' Sentence Reorder

[{被|bèi}, {秘密|mìmì}, {发现|fāxiàn}, {了|le}]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {秘密|mìmì} {被|bèi} {发现|fāxiàn} {了|le}
Translate: 'The computer was broken by me.' Translation

The computer was broken by me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {电脑|diànnǎo} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}
Where does the time word go? Multiple Choice

How do you say 'Yesterday my phone was stolen'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {昨天|zuótiān} {我的|wǒde} {手机|shǒujī} {被|bèi} {偷|tōu} {了|le}。
Complete the sentence: 'The window was broken (by the wind).' Fill in the Blank

{窗户|chuānghu} {被|bèi} ___ {刮|guā} {开|kāi} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 风

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, it's mostly for negative or objective events.

No, you can omit it if it's unknown.

No, they are opposites in focus.

You probably forgot the resultative complement.

Yes, it's very common in formal reports.

No, it can be used for things too.

Use active voice instead.

Add '没' or '没有' before '被'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Voz pasiva (ser + participio)

Chinese '被' carries a negative nuance, while Spanish 'ser' is neutral.

French partial

Voix passive (être + participe passé)

French passive is used much more frequently than Chinese passive.

German partial

Passiv (werden + Partizip II)

German passive is structurally more flexible.

Japanese high

受身形 (reru/rareru)

Japanese uses verb conjugation; Chinese uses a particle.

Arabic low

المبني للمجهول (Passive voice)

Arabic is morphological; Chinese is syntactic.

Chinese high

被 (bèi)

N/A

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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

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