被 + 不能被动的词
the ironic passive: to be “X-ed” on paper, without your knowledge or consent
Structure
主语 被 不及物动词、形容词或名词（就业／平均／自愿）
What it means
An ironic internet passive: 被 + a word that cannot normally be passive, meaning you were 'X-ed' on paper, without your knowledge or consent.
How it is built
Subject + 被 + intransitive verb, adjective or noun, usually in quotation marks: 很多毕业生“被就业”了 (many graduates have been 'employed' on paper).
When to use it
Born around 2009 to mock statistics and announcements made on people's behalf: 被自愿, 被代表, 被幸福. Sarcastic and online or colloquial; in neutral writing say 名义上… or 在不知情的情况下….
Watch out
It is a joke on grammar, so keep the quotation marks and the irony. Ordinary 被 needs a transitive verb (✓他被骗了); a straight ✗我被就业了 without irony just sounds wrong.
Examples
很多毕业生“被就业”了。
Many graduates have been “employed” on paper.
我的工资又“被平均”了。
My pay has been “averaged” again.
Learn this in Lesson 212 · HSK 9+: 网络流行语 (Internet slang)
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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