被

• 拼音: bèi
• 汉字拆解: 被 = 衤(clothing) + 皮 (skin, phonetic), originally meaning a covering or quilt

含义

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.

例句

1. 他的手机被人偷了。
2. 这本书被翻译成了十多种语言。
3. 弟弟不小心被热水烫了一下。

用法指南

语境: grammar, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

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

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal