把
do something to a specific thing, and say what happens to it
Structure
主语 + 把 + 东西 + 动词 + 结果／了
What it means
把 lets you say what you do to a specific thing and how it ends up: finished, cleaned, moved, messed up. The thing comes before the verb instead of after it.
How it is built
Subject + 把 + thing + verb + result／了／place: 我把作业写好了 (I’ve done my homework). 你把盘子刷干净吧 (scrub the plates clean).
When to use it
Use it for a specific, known thing that ends up changed, as in chores and instructions. 不, 没 and helping verbs such as 得 (děi), 要, 能 go before 把: 我没把书整理好. Not the measure word 把 of 这把刀 (h3-1).
Watch out
The verb can’t stand alone; it needs a result, 了 or a place after it: ✗ 我把盘子刷。 ✓ 我把盘子刷干净了。 Negatives go before 把: ✗ 我把书没整理好。 ✓ 我没把书整理好。
Examples
我把作业写好了。
I’ve done my homework.
你把盘子刷干净吧。
Scrub the plates clean.
他把我的书弄乱了。
He messed up my books.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 6: 把房间打扫干净 (The big clean)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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