把 bǎ — marker that moves the object in front of the verb (S 把 O + V + result)
marker that moves the object in front of the verb (S 把 O + V + result)
Meanings
marker that moves the object in front of the verb (S 把 O + V + result)
Puts a known, definite object before the verb so that the sentence can report what was *done to* it. The verb may never stand bare afterwards — a result, a direction, 了 or a complement must follow: 把门关上, 把书看完了.
prepositionmeasure word for things with a handle (chairs, umbrellas, knives)
measure
Example sentences
- 请把门关上。請把門關上。Qǐng (third tone, dipping) bǎ (third tone, dipping) mén (second tone, rising) guānshàng. (first tone, high and level)···
Please close the door.
- 我已经把这本书看完了。我已經把這本書看完了。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yǐjīng (third tone, dipping) bǎ (third tone, dipping) zhè (fourth tone, falling) běn (third tone, dipping) shū (first tone, high and level) kàn (fourth tone, falling) wán (second tone, rising) le. (neutral tone)···
I’ve already finished reading this book.
Common mistakes
Not quite我把这本书看。
Correct我把这本书看完了。
A 把 sentence exists to report an outcome, so the verb needs something after it — 完, 上, 走, a complement, or at least 了. A bare verb leaves the sentence hanging.
Not quite我把汉语懂了。
Correct我懂汉语了。
把 needs a verb that acts on something and changes it. Verbs of state and perception — 懂, 知道, 是, 有, 喜欢 — change nothing, so they never take 把.