叫 (passive)
HSK 3- Passive (把/被)
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
叫 is used in colloquial passive sentences, similar to 被, to indicate the recipient of an undesirable action.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Like 被, the preposition 叫 is used in passive sentences to indicate the person or thing that undergoes an action. However, 叫 carries a more colloquial, informal tone than 被.
In this structure, the person or thing performing the action (the agent) is typically stated immediately after 叫. The sentence usually conveys an undesirable or negative outcome for the subject.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我的蛋糕叫弟弟吃了。Wǒ de dàngāo jiào dìdi chī le.
My cake was eaten by my younger brother.
- 他的手机叫我弄坏了。繁: 他的手機叫我弄壞了。Tā de shǒujī jiào wǒ nòng huài le.
I broke his phone.
- 窗户叫风吹破了。繁: 窗戶叫風吹破了。Chuānghu jiào fēng chuī pò le.
The window was broken by the wind.
- 我的书叫他拿走了。繁: 我的書叫他拿走了。Wǒ de shū jiào tā ná zǒu le.
He took away my book.
- 衣服叫雨淋湿了。繁: 衣服叫雨淋溼了。Yīfu jiào yǔ lín shī le.
The clothes got soaked by the rain.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我的钱包叫偷了。Correct:我的钱包叫小偷偷了。
Sentences with `叫` typically require a clear agent (who/what causes the action). If the agent is unclear, use `被` instead.
- Wrong:这份报告叫老板批评了。Correct:这份报告被老板批评了。
叫 is colloquial and informal; in written language or professional contexts, 被 should be used instead for greater politeness.