被 (bèi) - by (passive marker) & to cover

被Tone 4

bèi ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

被 · bèi

by (passive marker);

to cover;

quilt;

to suffer;

to receive;

used in passive constructions.

by (passive marker)to coverquilt

Usage highlights

Passive voice markerQuiltTo be attackedTo be electedTo be injuredPassive sentence

Synonyms

  • 让— to let; by (alternative passive marker)
  • 给— to give; by (colloquial passive marker)
  • 遭— to suffer; to encounter (misfortune)
  • 受— to receive; to suffer

Antonyms

  • 把— ba-construction (disposal/active voice marker)
  • 主— subject (agent in active voice)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The window was broken by the wind (窗户被风吹破了).
  • He was praised by the teacher (他被老师表扬了).
  • She was deceived (她被欺骗了).
  • I bought a new quilt (我买了一床新被子).

Collocations

  • Passive voice marker(被)
  • Quilt(被子)
  • To be attacked(被攻击)
  • To be elected(被选举)
  • To be injured(受伤)
  • Passive sentence(被字句)

Idioms

  • To be caught in a dilemma, between a rock and a hard place(被发缨冠)
  • To be forced into a situation(被逼无奈)
  • To be deeply involved and unable to extricate oneself(被灾蒙祸)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a type of clothing or covering, evolving into its primary grammatical function.
  • As a passive marker, it is a fundamental component of modern Chinese grammar.
  • The character reflects the linguistic development of expressing passive voice distinctly.

FAQ