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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min read

把 + Verb一Verb and 把 + Verb + 了

A 把 sentence cannot end in a bare verb: finish it with a doubled verb (擦一擦, 看了看) or with 了 (卖了, 忘了).

Pattern

把 + object + V(一/了)V; 把 + object + V + 了

In a 把 sentence, something must follow the verb. A doubled verb (擦擦, 擦一擦, 擦了擦) makes it a quick, light action; 了 makes it a completed action, often with the thing gone or handled (卖了, 喝了, 忘了).

你把房间打扫打扫吧。

When to use 把 + Verb一Verb and 把 + Verb + 了

把 brings the object before the verb to show what happens to it, and the verb then needs “something extra.” Two short ways to add it: (1) Double the verb for a quick, casual action. One-syllable verbs can take 一 or 了 in the middle: 把桌子擦一擦 (give it a wipe), 他把书看了看 (he looked through the book, in the past). Two-syllable verbs just repeat: 把房间打扫打扫. (2) End with 了 for a finished action that deals with the object completely, very common with 吃, 喝, 卖, 忘, 关, 扔: 我把那些旧书卖了.

我把那些旧书卖了。

I sold those old books.

你把桌子擦一擦。

Give the table a wipe.

老师把我的作文看了看，说写得不错。

The teacher looked over my essay and said it was well written.

请把电视关了。

Please turn off the TV.

Common traps

  • Don’t end a 把 sentence with a bare verb: say 把门关了 or 把门关上, not 把门关.
  • Two-syllable verbs don’t take 一 in the middle: say 打扫打扫, not 打扫一打扫.
  • Use V了V for something already done, V一V for a request: 他看了看; 你看一看.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

老师把我的作文看 看，说写得不错

The teacher looked over my essay and said it was well written
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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