Definition
把 (bǎ) has two main uses: as a preposition it marks the object before the verb (把 + object + verb) to emphasize the action's effect on it. As a classifier, it is for things with handles (一把椅子) or handfuls (一把米). Unlike 束 (shù, for bunches tied at one end), 串 (chuàn, for things strung together), 捆 (kǔn, for tied bundles), and 包 (bāo, for wrapped packs), 把 focuses on the ability to grasp or the presence of a handle.
classifier
for things with handlesor for handfuls and bunches
preposition
marker that puts the object before the verb to emphasize what happens to it
Easily confused
- 吧balook-alike(modal particle) used to indicate a suggestion, a tentative guess, or to soften a statement
- 八bāsound-alikeeight
- 肥féilook-alike(adj.) fat (of meat/animal), fertile (soil), loose (clothing)
- 拔básound-aliketo pull out, to extract (from a fixed position)
- 疤bālook-alikescar (permanent mark on skin or surface)
- 扒bāsound-aliketo peel, to skin (remove the outer covering)
- 坝bàsound-alikedam; dike; embankment
Examples
- 把。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bǎ yǐzi.Please give me a chair.
- 把。Wǒ bǎ zuòyè zuò wán le.I finished my homework.
- 把。Tā bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.He put the book on the table.
Grammar
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