Look How X You Are: 看/瞧把+Object+X得
看/瞧把+宾语(施事)+X得
Comment on the extreme state someone has reached, often with teasing or mild reproach
This exclamatory structure draws attention to someone's current state. 看 or 瞧 (both mean "look") + 把 introduces the person, followed by a verb or adjective with 得 showing the resulting degree. The complement after 得 is often omitted when the state is obvious.
瞧 is more colloquial and northern than 看. The complement after 得 can be left off when the state is self-evident — this actually makes the expression more dramatic. The tone is usually teasing, affectionate, or mildly scolding.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Look How X You Are: 看/瞧把+Object+X得 (看/瞧把+宾语(施事)+X得)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 看/瞧把+宾语(施事)+X得 pattern
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Understanding 看/瞧把+宾语(施事)+X得
This vivid colloquial pattern is one of the most expressive structures in spoken Chinese. When you say 看把他乐得, you are saying "Look how happy he is!" with a sense of amusement or gentle teasing. The structure uses the 把 construction in a unique way — rather than its usual function of marking an object being acted upon, here 把 introduces the person whose state you are commenting on. The 得 at the end signals degree or result, and native speakers often trail off without completing the complement, letting the listener fill in the obvious. This trailing-off technique makes the expression feel more natural and emotionally charged. You will hear parents use this about children, friends teasing each other, and commentators describing reactions.
Key Points
- 看/瞧 means "look" and draws the listener's attention to what you are about to describe.
- 把 here introduces the person whose state you are commenting on — it is not the typical 把 construction.
- The verb or adjective after the object describes the emotional or physical state: 乐 (happy), 吓 (scared), 得意 (smug), 急 (anxious).
- 得 indicates the degree or result of that state.
- The complement after 得 is often omitted for dramatic effect, leaving the sentence hanging.
- 瞧 is more colloquial and has a northern Chinese flavor; 看 is more neutral.
This pattern is especially common among older family members commenting on children or younger people. A grandmother might say 瞧把孩子冻得 (Look how cold the child is!) with concern, or 看把他美得 (Look how pleased with himself he is!) with affectionate teasing. It carries warmth even when it sounds like a mild scold.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
真是小孩子呀，看把他乐得。
What a kid — look how happy he is.
Affectionate teasing
瞧把他得意得，都不知道自己是谁了。
Look how smug he is — he doesn't even know who he is anymore.
瞧把他吓得，都不知道说什么了。
Look how scared he is — he doesn't even know what to say.
看把你急得，慢慢来嘛。
Look how anxious you are — take it easy.
Calming someone down
看把她累得，赶紧让她休息一下。
Look how exhausted she is — let her rest quickly.
瞧把你美得，跟中了大奖一样。
Look how pleased you are — as if you won the lottery.
Teasing someone who is overly happy
看把孩子冻得，快进来暖和暖和。
Look how cold the child is — come inside and warm up quickly.
Common Mistakes
The word order is fixed: 看/瞧 + 把 + person + state + 得. The 把 must come directly after 看/瞧, before the person.
This pattern requires 得 after the adjective/verb to indicate degree. Do not use 很 — the 得 structure replaces it.
While not strictly wrong, native speakers typically leave the 得 hanging and start a new clause. The trailing 得 is what gives this pattern its characteristic dramatic feel.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Let the sentence trail off after 得 — this is the most natural way to use this pattern and adds dramatic flair.
Use 瞧 for a more colloquial, warm, northern feel; use 看 for a more standard tone.
This pattern works best with emotional or physical states: 乐, 吓, 急, 累, 冻, 美, 得意.
Practice by commenting on people's reactions in TV shows: 瞧把他气得！看把她感动得！
Homework
Watch a Chinese TV drama or variety show and find three moments where someone has a strong emotional reaction. Write a 看/瞧把...得 sentence for each moment, then add a follow-up comment.