Using 把 to Express Things Being Given to Someone

Q3W8
Written By Evan Chiles

You can also complete a 把 structure by adding a second object with 给 (gěi). Subj + 把 + object1 + verb + 给 + object2

Object 1 (an item, maybe a “resume”) is being given to Object 2 (”your boss”). In most cases, a preposition like 给 (gěi) is used in this kind of sentence to indicate who is giving and who is taking. Have a look at the examples below to get a feel for this:

Subj + 把 + Object1 + Verb + 给 + Object2

Qǐngbāng wǒ bǎ zhèxiē jiǎnlì ná gěi jīnglǐ.——> Please help me take these resumes to the manager.

请帮我把这些简历拿给经理。

Wǒ wàngle bǎ wénjiàn jiāo gěi lǎobǎn le. ——> I forgot to hand the document over to the boss.

我忘了把文件交给老板了。

Zuótiān tā méiyǒu bǎ lǐwù sòng gěi tā de kèhù. ——>He didn’t give the gift to his client yesterday.

昨天他没有把礼物送给他的客户。

Note：Common verbs used in these sentences are:

  • 拿: to take (normally the objects that you can hold in your hands; small/light items),
  • 带: to bring (items that you will put into your purse and carry from place A to place B; you can also use to bring people/animals)
  • 卖: to sell
  • 交: to hand in or to turn in
  • 送: to give (present/gift); to deliver
  • 发: to send

Negatives and Adverbs Are Put Before 把.

These all function just like you’re used to!! For negatives, 不要bùyào or 别bié are used for present or future tense and 没méi/没有méiyǒu is for the past tense.

  • Wǒ méiyǒu bǎ bàogào zuò wán. ——> I didn't get the report finished.
    我没有把报告做完。
  • Wǒ bùyào bǎ lǐwù sòng gěi tā. ——> I don't want to give him the gift.
    我不要把礼物送给他。
  • Bié bǎ nǐ de diànnǎo fàng zài huìyì shì. ——> Don't leave your computer in the conference room.
    别把你的电脑放在会议室。
  • Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ xínglǐ xiāng shōushí hǎole. ——> I have already gotten my suitcase packed .
    我已经把行李箱收拾好了。
  • Wǒ kěnéng bǎ shǒujī fàng zài bàngōngshìle. ——> I may have left my phone in the office.
    我可能把手机放在办公室了。
  • Wǒmen dōu bǎ zuòyè zuò wán le. ——> We all finished our homework.
    我们都把作业做完了。
  • Wǒmen bǎ zuòyè dōu zuò wán le. ——> We finished all our homework.
    我们把作业都做完了。 
Note：Adverbs like 都(dōu) can go before or after 把, but 都 can change the meaning of the sentence.
Evan Chiles
Previous

Expressing "as Long as" With "只要……就"
Next

Using 把 to Talk About Things Being Finished or Used Up