Learn when Chinese puts the object before the verb. The 把 pattern is especially useful when you describe what you do to a specific thing and what happens to it.
✓ Simple English✓ Clear pinyin✓ Instant-feedback practice
Pinyin OFF hides pronunciation lines. English OFF hides example translations; English teaching instructions remain visible.
01
Move the affected object after 把
In an ordinary sentence, the object often follows the verb. In a 把 sentence, a known or specific object comes after 把, before the action that affects it.
SUBJECT + 把
我把
wǒ bǎ · I + 把
OBJECT
门
mén · the door
ACTION + RESULT
关上了
guānshàng le · closed
Subject + 把 + specific object + verb + result / direction / location
Closing a door
我把门关上了。
Wǒ bǎ mén guānshàng le.
I closed the door.
Finishing homework
我把作业写完了。
Wǒ bǎ zuòyè xiěwán le.
I finished my homework.
Putting a phone down
他把手机放在桌子上。
Tā bǎ shǒujī fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.
He put the phone on the table.
Finishing fruit
她把苹果吃完了。
Tā bǎ píngguǒ chīwán le.
She finished eating the apple.
💡 A typical beginner 把 sentence has a specific object and a verb phrase that includes an outcome, direction, destination, or other meaningful detail.
02
Compare an ordinary sentence and a 把 sentence
Both word orders can describe the same event, but the 把 version foregrounds the object and what happened to it. It is not required in every sentence.
SUBJECT
我
wǒ
ACTION + RESULT
关上了
guānshàng le
OBJECT
门
mén
Ordinary: 我 + 关上了 + 门 · 把: 我 + 把门 + 关上了
Ordinary order
我关上了门。
Wǒ guānshàng le mén.
I closed the door.
把 order
我把门关上了。
Wǒ bǎ mén guānshàng le.
I closed the door (focus on the door).
A polite request
请把名字写在这里。
Qǐng bǎ míngzi xiě zài zhèlǐ.
Please write your name here.
A request
请把杯子放在桌子上。
Qǐng bǎ bēizi fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.
Please put the cup on the table.
💡 The 把 object must normally be identifiable in context. The pattern often sounds odd with a bare, incomplete action such as simply 看 without a result or other detail.
03
Same event, different emphasis
The English translation can be identical. Notice which part moves.
Ordinary word order
我关上了门。
Wǒ guānshàng le mén.
I closed the door.
把 word order
我把门关上了。
Wǒ bǎ mén guānshàng le.
I closed the door.
Ordinary word order
我写完了作业。
Wǒ xiěwán le zuòyè.
I finished my homework.
把 word order
我把作业写完了。
Wǒ bǎ zuòyè xiěwán le.
I finished my homework.
04
Common mistakes to avoid
✗ Incomplete action after 把
我把书看。
Wǒ bǎ shū kàn.
Not a complete basic 把 pattern for “I read the book.”
✓ Add an outcome
我把书看完了。
Wǒ bǎ shū kànwán le.
I finished reading the book.
✗ Object should follow 把
我门把关上了。
Wǒ mén bǎ guānshàng le.
The object is in the wrong place.
✓ 把 + object
我把门关上了。
Wǒ bǎ mén guānshàng le.
I closed the door.
05
Quick quiz · 6 questions
Choose the best answer. Get immediate feedback and a simple explanation.
Question 1 of 6Score: 0 / 0
Nice work!
You finished the quiz!
06
Build a natural Chinese sentence
Tap the words in the correct order. Tap a word in your answer to move it back. Works on phones too!
Sentence 1 of 4
Build a sentence
Your sentence
Word bank
07
Speak like a real person!
Think of objects around you and say what you did (or want someone to do) to them.
Tell someone to close a door.
Say that you finished your homework.
Ask someone to put a cup on the table.
Say where you put your phone.
Show sample answers ↓
Door
请把门关上。
Qǐng bǎ mén guānshàng.
Please close the door.
Homework
我把作业写完了。
Wǒ bǎ zuòyè xiěwán le.
I finished my homework.
Cup
请把杯子放在桌子上。
Qǐng bǎ bēizi fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.
Please put the cup on the table.
Phone
我把手机放在包里了。
Wǒ bǎ shǒujī fàng zài bāo lǐ le.
I put my phone in my bag.
Takeaway 🌸
把 + specific object + action + meaningful result / location / direction
