Passive Sentence 4: 被/叫/让 + Object + 给 + Verb
被动句4：主语+被/叫/让+宾语+给+动词+其他成分
Use the colloquial passive pattern with 给 inserted before the verb for emphasis and naturalness
This is an extended passive construction where 给 is inserted between the agent and the verb. The 给 adds emphasis and a colloquial, sometimes emotional tone to the sentence. It does not change the meaning but makes the statement feel more vivid and spoken.
The 给 in this pattern is NOT the "give" verb — it is a structural particle that intensifies the passive sense. This pattern is extremely common in spoken Chinese and often carries a tone of complaint, surprise, or regret. 被 is neutral to formal, 叫 and 让 are colloquial.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Passive Sentence 4: 被/叫/让 + Object + 给 + Verb (被动句4：主语+被/叫/让+宾语+给+动词+其他成分)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 被动句4：主语+被/叫/让+宾语+给+动词+其他成分 pattern
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Understanding 被动句4：主语+被/叫/让+宾语+给+动词+其他成分
You already know the basic passive with 被, 叫, and 让 from earlier levels. This advanced pattern adds 给 right before the verb, creating a more colloquial and emotionally charged expression. When a Chinese speaker says 杯子被她不小心给摔碎了, the 给 makes the sentence feel vivid — as if saying "the cup went and got smashed by her carelessness." Without 给, the sentence is grammatically correct but feels flatter. This pattern is a hallmark of natural spoken Chinese and appears constantly in daily conversation, especially when expressing unfortunate events, complaints, or surprises. Mastering it will make your Chinese sound significantly more authentic and emotionally nuanced.
Key Points
- 给 is inserted between the agent (doer) and the verb for emphasis — it does not mean "give" here.
- 被 + agent + 给 + verb is the most standard form; 叫 and 让 are more colloquial alternatives.
- The pattern often implies the result was undesirable, accidental, or surprising.
- 给 can be omitted without changing the core meaning, but including it sounds more natural in speech.
- This pattern frequently appears with resultative complements: 给摔碎了, 给偷走了, 给忘了.
- In very casual speech, 被 can be dropped entirely: 杯子她给摔碎了.
- The agent can be omitted when it is unknown or unimportant: 自行车给偷走了.
This pattern is deeply rooted in northern Chinese speech patterns, especially Beijing dialect. It reflects the Chinese tendency to use vivid, emotionally colored language in daily conversation. When something unfortunate happens, using 给 before the verb conveys a sense of "wouldn't you know it" — adding dramatic flair to storytelling.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
杯子被她不小心给摔碎了。
The cup was accidentally smashed by her.
Accidental — 给 adds vividness
自行车叫小偷儿给偷走了。
The bicycle was stolen by a thief.
Colloquial — 叫 + 给 is very spoken
这件事差点儿让我给忘了。
I almost forgot about this matter.
差点儿 adds "almost" — near miss
那本书被他给弄丢了。
That book was lost by him.
Implies carelessness or blame
我的手机叫孩子给摔坏了。
My phone was broken by the child dropping it.
钱包让人给偷了。
The wallet was stolen by someone.
Agent is vague — 人 means "someone"
作业被弟弟给撕破了。
The homework was torn up by my little brother.
这个消息差点儿被我给忽略了。
This message was almost overlooked by me.
Common Mistakes
给 must come directly before the verb, not before adverbs. Adverbs like 不小心 go between the agent and 给.
The word order is: passive marker (叫/被/让) + agent + 给 + verb. 给 cannot precede the passive marker.
This pattern almost always requires 了 at the end because it describes a completed action or change of state.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 给 as an emotional intensifier — it makes the passive feel more vivid and spoken, like adding "went and" in English: "He went and broke it!"
This pattern is most natural with negative or unpleasant results: things getting broken, lost, stolen, or forgotten.
Practice by converting your basic 被 sentences: 被他打破了 → 被他给打破了. Just insert 给 before the verb.
Listen for this pattern in Chinese TV dramas — characters use it constantly when complaining or recounting misfortunes.
Homework
Write six sentences describing unfortunate events using the 被/叫/让 + agent + 给 + verb pattern. Use each passive marker (被, 叫, 让) at least once, and include at least one sentence with 差点儿.