B2 Advanced Patterns 15 min read Medium

The Colloquial Passive (给)

Use 给 before a verb in passive sentences to sound more natural and colloquial when something happens.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {给|gěi} to indicate a passive action in spoken Chinese, similar to 'by' in English.

  • Place {给|gěi} before the agent of the action: {我|wǒ} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {骂|mà} {了|le} (I was scolded by him).
  • The verb must be followed by a complement or particle (like {了|le} or {一顿|yī dùn}).
  • It is primarily used in spoken contexts and often implies a negative or unfavorable outcome.
Receiver + 给 + Agent + Verb + Result/Particle

Overview

The colloquial passive marker 给 (gěi) is a feature of Mandarin that elevates your speech from proficient to native-like. While you already know 被 (bèi) to express the passive voice, particularly for unfortunate events, adding 给 before the verb introduces a layer of emphasis, finality, and emotional color that is central to informal, spoken Chinese. It's the grammatical equivalent of saying something “went and got” done, signaling that an action happened to the subject, was completed, and had a tangible, often undesirable, result.

For instance, 我的手机被摔了(wǒ de shǒujī bèi shuāi le) (My phone was dropped) is a simple statement of fact. But 我的手机被他给摔了(wǒ de shǒujī bèi tā gěi shuāi le) (My phone went and got dropped by him) adds a nuance of frustration and highlights the completed, unfortunate result.

This structure is not about 'giving' anything. In this context, 给 has been grammatically bleached of its original meaning. It serves a purely structural and tonal purpose.

Its function is to reinforce the passive nature of the sentence and underscore the 'disposal' of the subject—that is, how the subject was handled or affected by the verb. Originally more common in Northern Chinese dialects, its usage has become widespread throughout China, especially in digital communication and among younger speakers. Mastering the 给-passive is essential for understanding the rhythm and affect of everyday conversation.

It closes the gap between textbook Chinese and the dynamic language used by millions of native speakers.

Think of the standard 被 passive as a neutral news report: it states what happened. The colloquial 给-passive is the firsthand account from the person affected; it carries the weight of the consequence. It signals that the speaker is not just reporting an event, but processing its impact.

This is a key feature of what linguists call an affective construction—its use is tied to the speaker's feelings or attitude about the event. As a B2 learner, integrating this pattern demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of Chinese grammatical nuance and social register.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, the 给-passive is a reinforcement of a concept known as disposal. In Chinese grammar, 'disposal' refers to how an action affects, changes, or 'disposes of' an object. The most famous disposal structure is the 把 (bǎ) construction, which you use in the active voice: 我把作业做完了(wǒ bǎ zuòyè zuò wán le) (I finished the homework).
Here, you actively 'disposed of' the homework by completing it. The colloquial 给-passive is the mirror image of this concept, applied to the passive voice. It highlights how the receiver of a passive action was 'disposed of'.
Consider this sentence: 蛋糕被弟弟吃光了(dàngāo bèi dìdi chī guāng le) (The cake was eaten up by my little brother). This is a standard passive sentence. It is grammatically perfect and clear.
Now, let's add 给: 蛋糕被弟弟给吃光了(dàngāo bèi dìdi gěi chī guāng le). The meaning is the same, but the feeling is different. The 给 places a laser focus on the result and the completeness of the action.
The cake wasn't just eaten; it was disposed of by being eaten, and the speaker is emphasizing this final, total outcome. The 给 acts as a second, more emphatic confirmation of the verb's impact on the subject.
Linguistically, 给 in this position is an auxiliary verb that has lost its semantic meaning and now functions as a grammatical marker. This process, called grammaticalization, is common in language evolution. Just as 'will' in English evolved from a verb meaning 'to want' into a future tense marker, 给 has evolved in this context from 'to give' into a marker of passive disposal.
It creates a tighter bond between the doer of the action and the result, imbuing the sentence with a stronger sense of cause-and-effect. You'll almost always find it paired with verbs that imply a clear, often irreversible, outcome: 吃 (chī), 喝 (hē), 偷 (tōu), 弄坏 (nòng huài), 忘 (wàng). It answers the unspoken question: "What happened to it?" with a definitive *"It got...
(eaten/broken/forgotten)."*
This structure is also powerful because it allows for flexibility, particularly the omission of the agent (the 'doer'). While {被 (bèi)} can be used without an agent, the 给-construction often feels even more natural in these cases, especially when the subject is also omitted and inferred from context. If you can't find your keys, you might exclaim, 给弄丢了!(gěi nòng diū le!) ([They] got lost!).
This is a very common, concise, and authentic way to express such a mishap. It puts all the focus on the unfortunate result, which is the most important part of the message.

Formation Pattern

1
The structure is consistent and can be applied with the three main passive markers: 被(bèi), 叫(jiào), and 让(ràng). The fundamental rule is that 给 must be placed immediately before the main verb or verb phrase.
2
The Core Formula:
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Receiver + Passive Marker (+ Agent) + 给 + Verb + Other Elements
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Receiver: The person or thing affected by the action.
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Passive Marker: 被(bèi), 叫(jiào), or 让(ràng). {被} is the most versatile and can be used without an agent.
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Agent (Doer): The person or thing performing the action. This is optional with {被} but generally required for {叫} and {让} in this structure.
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给 (gěi): The colloquial emphasis marker.
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Verb: An action verb, often with a resultative complement (e.g., 完, 掉, 走).
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Other Elements: Aspect particles like 了(le) or 过(guò), or other sentence components.
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Let's see this pattern in a structured table:
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| Passive Marker | Pattern | Example Sentence | Pinyin & Translation |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| 被 (bèi) (with Agent) | Receiver + 被 + Agent + 给 + Verb + 了 | 我的计划被老板给改变了。 | Wǒ de jìhuà bèi lǎobǎn gěi gǎibiàn le. (My plan got changed by the boss.) |
14
| 被 (bèi) (no Agent) | Receiver + 被 + 给 + Verb + 了 | 窗户被风给吹开了。 | Chuānghu bèi fēng gěi chuī kāi le. (The window was blown open by the wind.)* |
15
| 叫 (jiào) | Receiver + 叫 + Agent + 给 + Verb + 了 | 他的新车叫小偷给偷走了。 | Tā de xīn chē jiào xiǎotōu gěi tōu zǒu le. (His new car got stolen by a thief.) |
16
| 让 (ràng) | Receiver + 让 + Agent + 给 + Verb + 了 | 那本书让他给借走了。 | Nà běn shū ràng tā gěi jiè zǒu le. (That book was borrowed by him.) |
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*Note: In the example 窗户被风给吹开了, you could argue 风 (wind) is the agent. However, 被 can also be used when the agent is unknown or unspecified, e.g., 钱包被给偷了(qiánbāo bèi gěi tōu le) (The wallet got stolen).
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A particularly colloquial variation is the omission of the receiver (subject) and the passive marker, which is common in spoken language when the context is clear.
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Pattern: (Agent) + 给 + Verb + 了
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Example 1: Imagine you baked a cake and your friend asks where it is. You can reply, 让他给吃了。(ràng tā gěi chī le.) ([It] was eaten by him.)
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Example 2: You're looking for your glasses and your friend asks what's wrong. You sigh and say, 不知道给放哪儿了。(bù zhīdào gěi fàng nǎr le.) ([I] don't know where [they] were put.) Here, even the agent is yourself, but the passive expresses a sense of helplessness or absentmindedness.
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This high degree of omission is characteristic of fluid, informal speech and is enabled by the 给 construction.

When To Use It

This pattern belongs squarely in the domain of informal and colloquial Chinese. Using it correctly signals that you have a feel for the social context of the language, not just its formal rules. Avoid it in any situation that requires formal, academic, or professional language.
Use it freely in:
  • Everyday Conversations: When telling a story, complaining about your day, or sharing gossip. It adds a dramatic or affective flair that makes your speech more engaging.
  • 你听说了吗？小李的方案被老板给否了。
  • Nǐ tīng shuō le ma? Xiǎo Lǐ de fāng'àn bèi lǎobǎn gěi fǒu le.
  • (Did you hear? Little Li's proposal got rejected by the boss.)
  • Social Media and Texting: This structure is perfectly suited for the concise and expressive nature of digital communication on platforms like WeChat (微信), Weibo (微博), or Douyin (抖音).
  • Post caption: 今天新买的咖啡，一口没喝就给我弟给打翻了，气死我了！
  • Jīntiān xīn mǎi de kāfēi, yī kǒu méi hē jiù gěi wǒ dì gěi dǎ fān le, qì sǐ wǒ le!
  • (The new coffee I bought today got knocked over by my little brother before I had a single sip, I'm so mad!)
  • Expressing Frustration, Resignation, or Surprise: The 给-passive excels at conveying the speaker's emotional reaction to an event. It often carries a tone of complaint or helplessness.
  • 我本来想去，结果票都让黄牛给抢光了。
  • Wǒ běnlái xiǎng qù, jiéguǒ piào dōu ràng huángniú gěi qiǎng guāng le.
  • (I originally wanted to go, but as it turns out, all the tickets were snatched up by scalpers.)
Do NOT use it in:
  • Formal Writing: Academic essays, business proposals, reports, or any official documentation. In these contexts, the standard 被 passive is the appropriate choice. The colloquial 给 would sound unprofessional and out of place.
  • Formal: 数据在传输过程中被拦截。 (Shùjù zài chuánshū guòchéng zhōng bèi lánjié.) (The data was intercepted during transmission.)
  • Incorrect/Informal: 数据在传输过程中被给拦截了。 (Shùjù zài chuánshū guòchéng zhōng bèi gěi lánjié le.)
  • Official Speeches or News Broadcasting: These registers require objective, formal language. The emotional coloring of the 给-passive is unsuitable.
Think of it as linguistic code-switching. Just as you wouldn't use slang in a job interview in English, you reserve the 给-passive for your interactions with friends, family, and peers in relaxed settings.

Common Mistakes

As you integrate this pattern, be mindful of a few common pitfalls. Understanding them will help you avoid errors and solidify your grasp of the structure.
1. Confusing 给 with its meaning 'to give' or as a preposition.
This is the most fundamental mistake. In the colloquial passive, 给 is a grammaticalized auxiliary. It is always followed by a verb, not a noun object.
| Type | Correct Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Colloquial Passive | 我的水被他给喝了。 (Wǒ de shuǐ bèi tā gěi hē le.) My water was drunk by him. | 给 is followed by the verb 喝 (to drink). It marks the passive disposal. |
| 给 as a Verb ('to give') | 他给了我一本书。 (Tā gěi le wǒ yī běn shū.) He gave me a book. | 给 is the main verb, followed by an indirect object (我) and a direct object (书). |
| 给 as a Preposition ('for'/'to') | 他给我打了个电话。 (Tā gěi wǒ dǎ le ge diànhuà.) He gave me a call. | 给 functions as a preposition indicating the beneficiary or recipient, followed by the object 我. |
Incorrect
✗ * 那本书被他给我了。 (*Nà běn shū bèi tā gěi wǒ le.) This sentence is ambiguous and ungrammatical. If you mean 'The book was given to me by him,' you would say 那本书是他给我的 or use a different structure. In the passive pattern, 给 cannot take a noun or pronoun object like 我.
2. Incorrect Word Order.
The position of 给 is fixed. It must come after the passive marker (and agent, if present) and immediately before the verb.
  • Correct: 饭被他给吃完了。 (Fàn bèi tā gěi chī wán le.)
  • Incorrect: 饭被给吃完了。 (Fàn bèi gěi chī wán le.) (Cannot place 给 right after 被 if an agent is omitted in this way.)
  • Incorrect: 饭给被他吃完了。 (Fàn gěi bèi tā chī wán le.)
  • Incorrect: 饭被他吃完了给。 (Fàn bèi tā chī wán le gěi.)
3. Using 给 with inappropriate verb types.
The 给-passive works with action verbs that can 'dispose of' a subject, implying a change of state or status. It does not work well with stative verbs (verbs describing a state, like 是 shì, 像 xiàng) or psychological verbs that don't imply a concrete action upon the subject.
  • Correct: 电脑给我弄坏了。 (Diànnǎo gěi wǒ nòng huài le.) ([The] computer was broken by me.) - 弄坏 is a clear action with a result.
  • Incorrect: 他被给喜欢了。 (Tā bèi gěi xǐhuān le.) - 喜欢 (to like) is a state and cannot 'dispose of' the subject in this way.
4. Overusing it in neutral contexts.
While technically possible to use it in neutral or even positive situations (e.g., 我的文章被老师给表扬了|wǒ de wénzhāng bèi lǎoshī gěi biǎoyáng le - My essay was praised by the teacher), its core flavor is negative or complaining. Overusing it for neutral events can make your speech sound slightly odd or constantly aggrieved. Reserve its power for when you truly want to emphasize the impact of an event.

Real Conversations

Here are a few mini-dialogues that show how the 给-passive appears in natural, everyday situations. Notice how the speakers omit subjects and use it to express frustration or tell a story with more color.

S

Scenario 1

A Missing Delivery
A

A

我的快递呢？App上说已经签收了。

Wǒ de kuàidì ne? App shàng shuō yǐjīng qiānshōu le.

(Where's my package? The app says it's already been delivered.)

B

B

我刚才看到一个，好像让你室友给拿走了。

Wǒ gāngcái kàn dào yī ge, hǎoxiàng ràng nǐ shìyǒu gěi ná zǒu le.

(I saw one just now, looks like it was taken away by your roommate.)

A

Analysis

Speaker B uses 让...给 to report what happened to the package. The 给 adds a sense of finality—it's gone, taken away—which directly answers Speaker A's concerned question.*
S

Scenario 2

Complaining About a Mess
A

A

天啊，厨房怎么这么乱！

Tiān a, chúfáng zěnme zhème luàn!

(Oh my god, why is the kitchen such a mess!)

B

B

别提了，昨晚的剩菜全被我家猫给扒拉地上了。

Bié tí le, zuówǎn de shèngcài quán bèi wǒ jiā māo gěi bāla dì shàng le.

(Don't even mention it. Last night's leftovers were all knocked onto the floor by my cat.)

A

Analysis

Speaker B is complaining. The 被...给 structure perfectly captures the frustration and emphasizes the disastrous result of the cat's actions. It paints a more vivid picture than a simple passive sentence.*
S

Scenario 3

A Social Media Comment

On a video of someone's elaborate sandcastle being washed away by a wave.*

C

Comment

太可惜了！辛辛苦苦堆了半天，一下就给冲没了。

Tài kěxī le! Xīnxīnkǔkǔ duī le bàntiān, yīxià jiù gěi chōng méi le.

(Such a pity! After all the hard work piling it up, it just got washed away in an instant.)

A

Analysis

This is a classic example of an omitted subject (沙堡 | shābǎo) and passive marker. The context makes it clear what 给冲没了 (got washed away completely) refers to. This concise, empathetic comment is extremely natural for this context.*

Quick FAQ

Q: Is 给 mandatory in passive sentences?

Absolutely not. It is a completely optional, colloquial feature. A passive sentence with 被, 叫, or 让 is grammatically complete without it. Adding 给 is a stylistic choice to add emphasis, finality, or emotional color in informal speech.

Q: Can I only use it for negative events?

Its primary use case is for negative or unfortunate events, as this is where speakers most often feel the 'affect' of an action. However, in very informal, slangy contexts, it can be used for neutral or positive surprises. For example: 我的名字被偶像给念到了！ (Wǒ de míngzì bèi ǒuxiàng gěi niàn dào le!, 'My name was read out by my idol!'). Use this with caution, as the negative connotation is stronger.

Q: Is this pattern a "Northern China" thing?

It originated and is still stereotypically associated with Northern Mandarin dialects, particularly around Beijing. However, due to population mobility and the influence of media, its use has become widespread across China, especially among the youth and on the internet. You will hear it and see it everywhere.

Q: Can I drop both the subject (receiver) and the passive marker 被?

Yes, this is very common in spoken Chinese when the context is clear. A sentence like (我的钱包) 给偷了 ((Wǒ de qiánbāo) gěi tōu le, '[My wallet] got stolen') is a perfect, concise, and native-sounding utterance. The 给 itself signals the passive nature and the unfortunate result.

Q: What is the difference between 被 (bèi), 叫 (jiào), and 让 (ràng) in this structure?

Functionally, they are very similar in this colloquial pattern. 被 is the most flexible, as it can be used without an explicit agent. 叫 and 让 are considered even more informal than 被 and almost always require an agent to be named. In the 给-passive, the choice between them is often a matter of regional habit or personal style.

Q: How is this different from the 把 (bǎ) construction again?

They are two sides of the same 'disposal' coin. Use 把 for active voice ('I did X to the thing'). Use the 给-passive for passive voice ('X was done to the thing').

  • Active: 我把蛋糕吃了。 (Wǒ bǎ dàngāo chī le.) - I ate the cake.
  • Passive: 蛋糕让他给吃了。 (Dàngāo ràng tā gěi chī le.) - The cake was eaten by him.

Formation of the {给|gěi} Passive

Element Role Example
Receiver
Subject
{钱包|qiánbāo}
给
Marker
{给|gěi}
Agent
Doer
{小偷|xiǎotōu}
Verb
Action
{拿走|názǒu}
Particle
Completion
{了|le}

Meanings

The {给|gěi} passive is a colloquial way to express that the subject has undergone an action, usually one that is unpleasant or unexpected.

1

Adversative Passive

Expressing that something negative happened to the subject.

“{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {小偷偷|xiǎotōu tōu} {走|zǒu} {了|le}。”

“{作业|zuòyè} {给|gěi} {狗|gǒu} {撕|sī} {坏|huài} {了|le}。”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Colloquial Passive (给)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + 给 + Agent + Verb + Result
{书|shū} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}
Negative
Subj + 没 + 给 + Agent + Verb
{书|shū} {没|méi} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {拿走|názǒu}
Question
Subj + 给 + Agent + Verb + 吗?
{书|shū} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le} {吗|ma}?
Agentive
Subj + 给 + Agent + Verb
{饭|fàn} {给|gěi} {狗|gǒu} {吃|chī} {了|le}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{手机|shǒujī} {被|bèi} {盗|dào} {了|le}。

{手机|shǒujī} {被|bèi} {盗|dào} {了|le}。 (Reporting a theft)

Neutral
{手机|shǒujī} {被|bèi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。

{手机|shǒujī} {被|bèi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。 (Reporting a theft)

Informal
{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。

{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。 (Reporting a theft)

Slang
{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {顺走|shùnzǒu} {了|le}。

{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {顺走|shùnzǒu} {了|le}。 (Reporting a theft)

The {给|gěi} Passive Flow

给-Passive

Requirements

  • Agent Must be present
  • Verb Must have complement

Register

  • Spoken Casual
  • Negative Unfortunate
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Examples by Level

1

{蛋糕|dàngāo} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {吃|chī} {了|le}。

The cake was eaten by him.

2

{书|shū} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {拿|ná} {了|le}。

The book was taken by me.

3

{花|huā} {给|gěi} {雨|yǔ} {淋|lín} {了|le}。

The flowers were soaked by rain.

4

{水|shuǐ} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {喝|hē} {了|le}。

The water was drunk by him.

1

{钥匙|yàoshi} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {弄丢|nòngdiū} {了|le}。

The keys were lost by me.

2

{电脑|diànnǎo} {给|gěi} {弟弟|dìdi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}。

The computer was broken by my brother.

3

{衣服|yīfu} {给|gěi} {风|fēng} {吹走|chuīzǒu} {了|le}。

The clothes were blown away by the wind.

4

{钱|qián} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {骗走|piànzǒu} {了|le}。

The money was swindled by someone.

1

{我的|wǒ de} {计划|jìhuà} {给|gěi} {老板|lǎobǎn} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}。

My plan was rejected by the boss.

2

{会议|huìyì} {给|gěi} {大雨|dàyǔ} {耽误|dānwu} {了|le}。

The meeting was delayed by heavy rain.

3

{机会|jīhuì} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {浪费|làngfèi} {了|le}。

The opportunity was wasted by him.

4

{车票|chēpiào} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {抢走|qiǎngzǒu} {了|le}。

The ticket was snatched by someone.

1

{原本的|yuánběn de} {安排|ānpái} {给|gěi} {突发|tūfā} {事件|shìjiàn} {打乱|dǎluàn} {了|le}。

The original plan was disrupted by an emergency.

2

{这份|zhè fèn} {报告|bàogào} {给|gěi} {同事|tóngshì} {改得|gǎide} {一塌糊涂|yītāhútú}。

This report was messed up by my colleague.

3

{我的|wǒ de} {耐心|nàixīn} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {磨光|móguāng} {了|le}。

My patience was worn out by him.

4

{好心情|hǎo xīnqíng} {给|gěi} {这|zhè} {坏天气|huài tiānqì} {破坏|pòhuài} {了|le}。

My good mood was ruined by this bad weather.

1

{整个|zhěnggè} {项目|xiàngmù} {给|gěi} {管理层|guǎnlǐcéng} {决策|juécè} {失误|shīwù} {拖累|tuōlěi} {了|le}。

The entire project was dragged down by management's decision errors.

2

{他|tā} {那|nà} {傲慢的|àomàn de} {态度|tàidù} {给|gěi} {大家|dàjiā} {留下|liúxià} {了|le} {极差的|jíchà de} {印象|yìnxiàng}。

His arrogant attitude left a very bad impression on everyone.

3

{原本|yuánběn} {和谐的|héxié de} {气氛|qìfēn} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {一句|yījù} {话|huà} {打破|dǎpò} {了|le}。

The originally harmonious atmosphere was broken by one word from him.

4

{所有|suǒyǒu} {努力|nǔlì} {给|gěi} {这次|zhè cì} {失误|shīwù} {化为乌有|huàwéiwūyǒu}。

All efforts were reduced to nothing by this mistake.

1

{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {陈旧的|chénjiù de} {观念|guānniàn} {给|gěi} {时代|shídài} {淘汰|táotài} {了|le}。

This kind of outdated concept has been phased out by the times.

2

{他|tā} {那|nà} {深厚的|shēnhòu de} {文学|wénxué} {功底|gōngdǐ} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {的|de} {创作|chuàngzuò} {增色|zēngsè} {不少|bùshǎo}。

His profound literary foundation has added much color to his work.

3

{原本|yuánběn} {清晰的|qīngxī de} {逻辑|luójí} {给|gěi} {过度|guòdù} {的|de} {修饰|xiūshì} {掩盖|yǎngài} {了|le}。

The originally clear logic was obscured by excessive ornamentation.

4

{这|zhè} {段|duàn} {历史|lìshǐ} {给|gěi} {后人|hòurén} {留下|liúxià} {了|le} {深刻的|shēnkè de} {教训|jiàoxùn}。

This period of history has left a profound lesson for future generations.

Easily Confused

The Colloquial Passive (给) vs 被 vs. 给

Both are passive markers, but {被|bèi} is formal and {给|gěi} is informal.

The Colloquial Passive (给) vs 给 as 'to give' vs. 'passive marker'

Learners see {给|gěi} and think 'to give'.

The Colloquial Passive (给) vs 叫 vs. 给

Both can be used in passive, but {叫|jiào} is also colloquial.

Common Mistakes

✗

{书|shū} {给|gěi} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}

✓

{书|shū} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {拿走|názǒu} {了|le}

Missing the agent.
✗

{我|wǒ} {给|gěi} {骂|mà} {了|le}

✓

{我|wǒ} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {骂|mà} {了|le}

Missing the agent.
✗

{饭|fàn} {给|gěi} {吃|chī}

✓

{饭|fàn} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {吃光|chīguāng} {了|le}

Missing complement.
✗

{礼物|lǐwù} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {送|sòng} {了|le}

✓

{礼物|lǐwù} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {送来|sònglái} {了|le}

Verb needs complement.
✗

{钱|qián} {给|gěi} {偷|tōu}

✓

{钱|qián} {给|gěi} {小偷|xiǎotōu} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}

Missing agent and complement.
✗

{奖杯|jiǎngbēi} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {拿|ná} {了|le}

✓

{奖杯|jiǎngbēi} {被|bèi} {我|wǒ} {拿|ná} {了|le}

Positive events should use {被|bèi} or active voice.
✗

{作业|zuòyè} {给|gěi} {做|zuò} {了|le}

✓

{作业|zuòyè} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {做完|zuòwán} {了|le}

Missing agent and complement.
✗

{这|zhè} {事|shì} {给|gěi} {知道|zhīdào} {了|le}

✓

{这|zhè} {事|shì} {给|gěi} {大家|dàjiā} {知道|zhīdào} {了|le}

Missing agent.
✗

{他|tā} {给|gěi} {批评|pīpíng} {了|le}

✓

{他|tā} {给|gěi} {老师|lǎoshī} {批评|pīpíng} {了|le}

Missing agent.
✗

{门|mén} {给|gěi} {关|guān} {了|le}

✓

{门|mén} {给|gěi} {风|fēng} {关上|guānshàng} {了|le}

Missing agent and complement.
✗

{方案|fāng'àn} {给|gěi} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}

✓

{方案|fāng'àn} {给|gěi} {委员会|wěiyuánhuì} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}

Missing agent.
✗

{他|tā} {给|gěi} {认为|rènwéi} {是|shì} {错的|cuòde}

✓

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {认为|rènwéi} {是|shì} {错的|cuòde}

Abstract passive requires {被|bèi}.
✗

{这|zhè} {给|gěi} {写|xiě} {了|le} {一本书|yī běn shū}

✓

{这|zhè} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {写成|xiěchéng} {了|le} {一本书|yī běn shū}

Missing agent and complement.
✗

{他|tā} {给|gěi} {大家|dàjiā} {爱|ài}

✓

{他|tā} {被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} {爱戴|àidài}

Positive emotion requires {被|bèi}.

Sentence Patterns

___ {给|gěi} ___ ___ {了|le}。

我的 ___ {给|gěi} ___ ___ {了|le}。

Real World Usage

Texting a friend very common

{手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷|tōu} {了|le}!

Social media post common

{今天|jīntiān} {心情|xīnqíng} {给|gěi} {坏天气|huài tiānqì} {毁|huǐ} {了|le}。

Work chat occasional

{方案|fāng'àn} {给|gěi} {老板|lǎobǎn} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}。

Food delivery app review common

{面条|miàntiáo} {给|gěi} {送餐员|sòngcānyuán} {弄撒|nòngsǎ} {了|le}。

Travel mishap common

{行李|xínglǐ} {给|gěi} {机场|jīchǎng} {弄丢|nòngdiū} {了|le}。

Family argument common

{玩具|wánjù} {给|gěi} {弟弟|dìdi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}。

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💡

Check the Agent

Always make sure you know who did the action. If you don't, use {被|bèi} instead.
⚠️

Avoid Formal Writing

Never use {给|gěi} in an essay. Your teacher will mark it as too colloquial.
🎯

Add a Complement

The verb needs a 'result'. Use {了|le}, {掉|diào}, or {走|zǒu} to make it sound natural.
💬

Use for Complaints

It's the perfect way to vent. Use it when you want to sound like a native speaker complaining about a bad day.

Smart Tips

Use {给|gěi} + Agent + {弄坏|nònghuài} + {了|le}.

{电脑|diànnǎo} {坏|huài} {了|le}. → {电脑|diànnǎo} {给|gěi} {弟弟|dìdi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}.

Use {给|gěi} + {人|rén} + {偷走|tōuzǒu} + {了|le}.

{手机|shǒujī} {丢|diū} {了|le}. → {手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}.

Use {给|gěi} + Agent + {吃光|chīguāng} + {了|le}.

{蛋糕|dàngāo} {没|méi} {了|le}. → {蛋糕|dàngāo} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {吃光|chīguāng} {了|le}.

Use {给|gěi} + Agent + {搞砸|gǎozá} + {了|le}.

{计划|jìhuà} {失败|shībài} {了|le}. → {计划|jìhuà} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {搞砸|gǎozá} {了|le}.

Pronunciation

gěi (shortened)

Tone of 给

In this construction, {给|gěi} is a function word and is often pronounced with a slightly lighter, shorter third tone.

Complaining tone

Subject + 给 + Agent + Verb + le! (falling intonation)

Conveys frustration or annoyance.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of {给|gěi} as a 'hand-off' of bad luck: the subject hands the bad experience to the agent.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in the rain. The rain (agent) is 'giving' them a soaking. The word {给|gěi} acts as the bridge for the rain to reach the person.

Rhyme

When things go wrong and you feel the pain, use {给|gěi} to name the one to blame.

Story

My friend Xiao Wang was very hungry. He bought a pizza. Suddenly, his cat jumped up. The pizza was eaten by the cat. I said: {披萨|pīsà} {给|gěi} {猫|māo} {吃|chī} {了|le}!

Word Web

{给|gěi}{被|bèi}{拿走|názǒu}{弄坏|nònghuài}{吃光|chīguāng}{骗|piàn}

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, look around your room and identify 3 things that 'suffered' an action (e.g., a book read by you, a mess made by a pet) and write them down using the {给|gěi} structure.

Cultural Notes

The {给|gěi} passive is extremely common in Beijing and Northern dialects, often used to express personal grievance.

While understood, it is slightly less common than in the North, with {被|bèi} or {叫|jiào} often preferred in similar contexts.

Cantonese speakers often use {俾|bei2} (the cognate of {给|gěi}) in a similar passive structure, which reinforces the usage in Southern Mandarin.

The {给|gěi} passive evolved from the dative 'to give' construction, where the agent was seen as 'giving' the action to the receiver.

Conversation Starters

“

Why are you so upset today?

“

What happened to your new phone?

“

How did the meeting go?

“

Why is the room such a mess?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time something was broken by someone else.
Describe a bad day using the {给|gěi} passive.
Compare a time you were helped vs. a time you were hindered.
Write a dialogue between two friends complaining about their day.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct agent.

{钱包|qiánbāo} {给|gěi} ___ {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {小偷|xiǎotōu}
The agent must be the person who did the stealing.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the natural sentence.

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

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.
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: {电脑|diànnǎo} {给|gěi} {弟弟|dìdi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}
Correct S-G-A-V-P order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

The keys were lost by me.

Answer starts with: {钥匙...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {钥匙|yàoshi} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {弄丢|nòngdiū} {了|le}
Correct colloquial passive.
Match the sentence to the situation. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Crime, 2-Food
Context matching.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: {计划|jìhuà}, {给|gěi}, {老板|lǎobǎn}, {否决|fǒujué}, {了|le}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {计划|jìhuà} {给|gěi} {老板|lǎobǎn} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}
Correct structure.
Pick the best fit. Multiple Choice

Which is most colloquial?

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

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct agent.

{钱包|qiánbāo} {给|gěi} ___ {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {小偷|xiǎotōu}
The agent must be the person who did the stealing.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the natural sentence.

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

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.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

{了|le} / {给|gěi} / {我|wǒ} / {弄坏|nònghuài} / {电脑|diànnǎo} / {弟弟|dìdi}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {电脑|diànnǎo} {给|gěi} {弟弟|dìdi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}
Correct S-G-A-V-P order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

The keys were lost by me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {钥匙|yàoshi} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {弄丢|nòngdiū} {了|le}
Correct colloquial passive.
Match the sentence to the situation. Match Pairs

Match: 1. {手机|shǒujī} {给|gěi} {人|rén} {偷走|tōuzǒu} {了|le} 2. {蛋糕|dàngāo} {给|gěi} {他|tā} {吃光|chīguāng} {了|le}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-Crime, 2-Food
Context matching.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: {计划|jìhuà}, {给|gěi}, {老板|lǎobǎn}, {否决|fǒujué}, {了|le}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {计划|jìhuà} {给|gěi} {老板|lǎobǎn} {否决|fǒujué} {了|le}
Correct structure.
Pick the best fit. Multiple Choice

Which is most colloquial?

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

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to form a correct colloquial passive sentence. Sentence Reorder

{被|bèi} / {给|gěi} / {他|tā} / {水|shuǐ} / {喝|hē} / {了|le}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {水|shuǐ} {被|bèi} {他|tā} {给|gěi} {喝|hē} {了|le}
Translate into colloquial Chinese using '让' and '给'. Translation

The book was lost by me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {书|shū} {让|ràng} {我|wǒ} {给|gěi} {弄丢|nòngdiū} {了|le}。
Choose the correct marker for this colloquial passive sentence. Fill in the Blank

{电脑|diànnǎo} ___ {小|xiǎo} {王|wáng} {给|gěi} {用坏|yònghuài} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 让
Identify the passive structure with '给'. Multiple Choice

Which one is passive?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {书|shū} {让|ràng} {他|tā} {给|gěi} {买|mǎi} {了|le}。
Fix the word order. Error Correction

{饭|fàn} {被|bèi} {给|gěi} {猫|māo} {吃|chī} {了|le}。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {饭|fàn} {被|bèi} {猫|māo} {给|gěi} {吃|chī} {了|le}。
Match the Chinese sentence to its English vibe. Match Pairs

Match the columns:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {让|ràng} {人|rén} {给|gěi} {偷|tōu} {了|le}
Complete the social media post. Fill in the Blank

{我|wǒ} {的|de} {视频|shìpín} {被|bèi} {大家|dàjiā} ___ {转发|zhuǎnfā} {了|le}！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 给
Select the most natural spoken sentence. Multiple Choice

You lost your keys. What do you say?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {钥匙|yàoshi} {让|ràng} {我|wǒ} {给|gěi} {丢|diū} {了|le}。
Put it in order. Sentence Reorder

{给|gěi} / {弄坏|nònghuài} / {手机|shǒujī} / {了|le} / {让|ràng} / {弟弟|dìdi}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {手机|shǒujī} {让|ràng} {弟弟|dìdi} {给|gěi} {弄坏|nònghuài} {了|le}
Translate 'The coffee was drunk by him' colloquially. Translation

The coffee was drunk by him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {咖啡|kāfēi} {让|ràng} {他|tā} {给|gěi} {喝|hē} {了|le}。

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, it is too colloquial. Use {被|bèi} for formal writing.

Yes, unlike {被|bèi}, the {给|gěi} passive requires an explicit agent.

Rarely. It is almost exclusively for negative or unfortunate events.

Then you cannot use {给|gěi}. Use {被|bèi} instead.

No, in this structure, it is a marker for the agent of a passive action.

The verb needs a complement or particle to complete the thought in this structure.

It is most common in Northern Mandarin; other dialects have their own equivalents.

Avoid it. Stick to formal language in professional settings.

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

English partial

Passive voice with 'by'

English is neutral; {给|gěi} is strictly negative.

Spanish low

Passive with 'ser' or 'se'

Spanish 'se' is much more versatile than {给|gěi}.

French low

Passive with 'être'

French passive is formal; {给|gěi} is informal.

German low

Passive with 'werden'

German passive is standard; {给|gěi} is non-standard.

Japanese moderate

Passive with '-reru/-rareru'

Japanese uses a verb suffix; Chinese uses a marker word.

Arabic none

Passive voice (internal vowel change)

Arabic is morphological; Chinese is syntactic.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The `被` (bèi) Passive: Talking About Unfortunate Events
Next
Chinese Passive Vibe: How to use '受到' (shòudào)

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