Ch 23 · Lesson 10Mandarin · Chapter 23 · Lesson 10 · Grammar primer
The formal passive: 为…所
Receiver + + doer + + verb: . is wéi here, the doer never drops, and speech says it actively instead.
The short version
。Zhè běn shū wéi hěn duō rén suǒ xǐhuan.
Why?Hide
Written Chinese has a passive with no hint of bad luck: receiver + (wéi) + doer + (suǒ) + verb. (wéi) is second tone here. The doer cannot drop; when it is nobody in particular, use (rén): (bù wéi rén suǒ zhī), little known. In speech, say it actively.
The formal passive: 为 (wéi)…所 (suǒ)
Receiver + 为 (wéi) + doer + (suǒ) + verb is a formal written passive. 为 is second tone here, not the wèi of (wèile):
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
为。 | Zhè běn shū wéi hěn duō rén suǒ xǐhuan. | This book is loved by many people |
为。 | Zhège xiǎngfǎ wéi dàjiā suǒ jiēshòu. | This idea is accepted by everyone |
为。 | Zhè jiàn shì bù wéi rén suǒ zhī. | This matter is little known |
The doer cannot drop: when it is nobody in particular, use (rén), as in the last row. Negation goes before 为 (wéi). In speech, say it actively: 。 (Hěn duō rén xǐhuan zhè běn shū.)
You will also read … (bèi… suǒ), a mix of the two: 。 (Tā bèi zhè běn shū suǒ gǎndòng.), he was moved by this book.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| | the object cannot follow the verb |
。 | 。 | (suǒ) + verb still needs (de) |
为。 | 为。 | 为… (wéi… suǒ) needs a doer |
。 | 。 | "all" is (suǒyǒu) |
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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