Complex 被 Constructions
Advanced passive constructions with 被, including complement phrases and omitted agents.
Pattern
Subject + 被 + (Agent) + Verb + Complement/Result
Explanation
At HSK4 level, 被 constructions become more complex. The verb in a 被 sentence must have a complement or result - you cannot simply say 被 + bare verb. Common complements include resultative (被打破), directional (被带走), and degree complements.
The agent (doer) can be omitted when it's unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context. 被 sentences in Chinese often carry a negative connotation - something undesirable happened to the subject.
Examples
我的手机被偷走了。
Wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu zǒu le.
My phone was stolen.
Agent omitted; 走 is directional complement.
杯子被孩子打碎了。
Bēizi bèi háizi dǎ suì le.
The cup was broken by the child.
碎 is resultative complement showing the result.
那个计划已经被取消了。
Nàge jìhuà yǐjīng bèi qǔxiāo le.
That plan has already been cancelled.
Common Mistakes
书被看。
书被看完了。
被 sentences require a complement or 了 after the verb. A bare verb is incomplete.
我被他帮助。
我得到了他的帮助。
被 typically implies negative events. For positive actions, rephrase using 得到.
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