The character 把 bǎ has several meanings:
- a measure word for things which have a handle or which can be held in the hand
- to hold
- to contain
- a marker for direct object
Marker for Direct Object
The particle 把 bǎ is used before a noun to show that that noun is the object of the sentence. For example:
Tǎ bǎ wǒ de bēizi dǎ pò le.
他把我的杯子打破了｡
He broke my cup.
Object = wǒ de bēizi (my cup)
When using the particle 把 bǎ, the sentence structure is:
SUBJECT 把 NOUN VERB.
This means roughly: The subject takes the noun and does something with it.
So the example above could be translated: He took my cup and broke it.
Using the 把 Bǎ Particle
When using the particle 把 bǎ, the verb must be a Functive verb which takes objects – a transitive verb. The object must be a specific object or person.
The particle 把 bǎ can be used in the following types of sentences:
- completed actions
- actions with durations
- motion verbs lengthened with qù 去 or lái 來
- duplicated functive verbs
- verbs which are suffixed with zài 在, dào 到, or gěi 給
- verbs which take both direct and indirect objects
Examples of the 把 Bǎ Particle
Qǐng bǎ chá ná jìn qù.
Please take the tea in.
(trad) 請把茶拿進去｡
(simp) 请把茶拿进去｡
Tāmen bǎ jiǔ dōu dài lái le.
They all brought wine.
(trad) 他們把酒都帶來了｡
(simp) 他们把酒都带来了｡
Háizi bùhuì bǎ tángguǒ ná xia lai.
The children are not allowed to bring candy.
(trad) 孩子不會把糖果拿下來｡
(simp) 孩子不会把糖果拿下来｡
Qǐng nǐ bié bǎ mén kāi kāi.
Please don’t leave the door open.
(trad) 請你別把門開開｡
(simp) 请你别把门开开｡
Nǐ kěyǐ bǎ qián gěi tā.
You can give the money to him.
(trad) 你可以把錢給他｡
(simp) 你可以把钱给他｡
