被

• Pinyin: bèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 被 = 衤(clothing) + 皮 (skin, phonetic), originally meaning a covering or quilt

Meaning

A preposition used to form passive sentences, indicating that the subject receives the action. One of the most important grammar markers in Chinese.

The 被 construction (被 + agent + verb) indicates that the subject is acted upon. Traditionally carried a negative connotation (bad things happening to someone), but in modern Chinese it is used neutrally as well. Essential for passive voice.

Examples

1. 他的手机被人偷了。 His phone was stolen.
2. 这本书被翻译成了十多种语言。 This book has been translated into more than ten languages.
3. 弟弟不小心被热水烫了一下。 My little brother accidentally got scalded by hot water.

Usage Guide

Context: grammar, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我的自行车被偷了。(My bicycle was stolen.)
• 她被选为班长。(She was chosen as class monitor.)

Don't Say

• 我被喜欢这本书 (Don't use 被 with non-action verbs like 喜欢 — 被 requires verbs where the object is affected by the action)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'quilt' or 'to cover' (still used this way as 被子). Grammaticalised into a passive marker, perhaps from the idea of being covered or affected by an action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal