How to Use Passive Constructions in Vietnamese for English Speakers

What Are Passive Constructions in Vietnamese?

In Vietnamese, passive constructions are used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of an action rather than the doer. Unlike English, which often uses the auxiliary verb "to be" plus the past participle, Vietnamese uses specific markers to form the passive voice.

Common Passive Markers in Vietnamese

The two most common passive markers in Vietnamese are "bị" and "được". They are placed before the verb to indicate passive meaning, but they carry different connotations.

The Marker "bị"

"Bị" is used to express a negative or unfortunate passive action, often implying that something undesirable happened to the subject.

Example:
"Anh ấy bị mất chìa khóa."
(He lost his keys. / He was affected by losing his keys.)

The Marker "được"

"Được" is used to express a positive or fortunate passive action, indicating that the subject benefits from the action.

Example:
"Cô ấy được khen ngợi."
(She was praised.)

Forming Passive Sentences in Vietnamese

The basic structure for passive sentences is:
Subject + bị/được + Verb + (Object)

For example:
"Cửa sổ bị vỡ."
(The window was broken.)

Or
"Em bé được chăm sóc tốt."
(The baby is well taken care of.)

Differences Between Vietnamese and English Passive Voice

While English uses auxiliary verbs and past participles, Vietnamese relies on context and the markers "bị" and "được" to convey passive meaning. Additionally, Vietnamese passive constructions often emphasize the effect on the subject rather than the action itself.

When to Use Passive Constructions in Vietnamese

Passive constructions are commonly used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or when the speaker wants to emphasize the experience or state of the subject.

For example, in news reports or when describing accidents, "bị" is frequently used to highlight unfortunate events.

Practice Examples of Passive Sentences

Here are some examples to help you understand passive constructions in Vietnamese:

1. "Tôi bị trễ xe buýt." (I was delayed by the bus.)
2. "Căn nhà được xây năm 1990." (The house was built in 1990.)
3. "Anh ấy bị thương trong tai nạn." (He was injured in the accident.)
4. "Bài tập được giáo viên chấm điểm." (The homework was graded by the teacher.)

Tips for English Speakers Learning Vietnamese Passive Voice

- Remember that "bị" often implies something negative happened, while "được" implies something positive or beneficial.
- Passive constructions are less common in casual Vietnamese than in English; sometimes active voice or other structures are preferred.
- Context is very important to understand the meaning of passive sentences in Vietnamese.