被…所…

HSK 6
  • Passive (把/被)

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Subject(Agent)Verb

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

The structure 被…所… is a formal passive construction, commonly used in written language to emphasize the action.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

被…所… is a formal passive construction, commonly found in written language or official contexts. Compared to the ordinary sentence, this structure places greater emphasis on the action itself.

The here is a structural particle, placed before the verb for emphasis. The agent performing the action (appearing after ) may be omitted, in which case the sentence takes the form Subject + 被所 + Verb.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 他被这个故事所感动。
    繁: 他被這個故事所感動。 bèi zhège gùshi suǒ gǎndòng.

    He was moved by this story.

  2. 我被美丽的风景所吸引。
    繁: 我被美麗的風景所吸引。 bèi měilì de fēngjǐng suǒ xīyǐn.

    I was attracted by the beautiful scenery.

  3. 他的行为被大家所不齿。
    繁: 他的行為被大家所不齒。 de xíngwéi bèi dàjiā suǒ bùchǐ.

    His behavior was despised by everyone.

  4. 我们不应被表象所迷惑。
    繁: 我們不應被表象所迷惑。Wǒmen yīng bèi biǎoxiàng suǒ míhuò.

    We should not be deceived by appearances.

  5. 这种观点不被人所接受。
    繁: 這種觀點不被人所接受。Zhè zhǒng guāndiǎn bèi rén suǒ jiēshòu.

    This viewpoint is not accepted by people.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我的钱包被小偷所偷了。
    Correct:我的钱包被小偷偷了。

    The structure 被…所… is formal and not used in ordinary spoken language; for everyday situations, simply using a 被 sentence is sufficient.

  • Wrong:他被困难打倒了。
    Correct:他被困难所打倒。

    If you want to use this formal structure, you must not omit the character 所; it stands directly before the verb to emphasize the action.