被那个
bèi nà ge
The phrase "by that one" in Chinese is 被那个 (bèi nà ge).
被那个 is used to indicate that an action was performed by a specific person or thing previously mentioned.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a passive sentence, 被那个 is placed before the verb to indicate the agent performing the action.
How do you pronounce it?
bèi nà ge
Did you know?
- The word 被 (bèi) actually originates from a word meaning 'quilt' or 'blanket', implying the subject is being 'covered' by the action.
- The word 那个 is used to avoid saying something taboo or unpleasant. A speaker might use 被那个 to vaguely imply a bad event happened without explicitly naming the act.
- In modern colloquial Chinese, 那个 is frequently used as a filler word similar to 'um' or 'uh' while a speaker searches for a word. This means 被那个 could sound like a hesitation rather than a specific reference to a person or thing.
Examples in context
- 那本书被那个男孩拿走了。Nà běn shū bèi nàge nánhái ná zǒu le.That book was taken by that boy.
- 这个苹果被那个小孩吃了。Zhège píngguǒ bèi nàge xiǎohái chī le.This apple was eaten by that child.
- 窗户被那个球打破了。Chuānghu bèi nàge qiú dǎ pò le.The window was broken by that ball.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a broken window in a room.
- 俊杰 Junjie玻璃被那个球打破了。Bōli bèi nàge qiú dǎ pò le.The glass was broken by that ball.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那是谁扔的？Nà shì shuí rēng de?Who threw it?
- 俊杰 Junjie是那个男生扔的。Shì nàge nánshēng rēng de.It was thrown by that boy.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他真不小心。Tā zhēn bù xiǎoxīn.He was really careless.
