把 + Object + Verb
Use the 把 construction when a subject handles a specific, known object and the rest of the sentence explains what happens to it. This overview covers the core word order; use the result, direction, and location pages for those specialist complements.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 把 [OBJECT] [VERB PHRASE]
bǎ [OBJECT] [VERB] [RESULT]
How to Think About It
把 is a flag that says 'this thing is about to get acted on — here's what happens to it.' Plain SVO ('我洗衣服') reports an activity; the 把 version ('我把衣服洗干净了') reports an outcome. That's why the result chunk is mandatory: a bare 把 sentence with no result feels like you cut yourself off mid-thought. If you can't say HOW the object ended up, don't use 把.
Examples
请把门关上。
Qǐng bǎ mén guānshàng.
Please close the door.
我把书给老师了。
Wǒ bǎ shū gěi lǎoshī le.
I gave the book to the teacher.
他把电脑打开了。
Tā bǎ diànnǎo dǎkāi le.
He turned on the computer.
别把这件事告诉他。
Bié bǎ zhè jiàn shì gàosu tā.
Don't tell him about this.
请把名字写下来。
Qǐng bǎ míngzi xiě xiàlái.
Please write the name down.
Common Mistake
Learners use 把 with a bare verb because they're translating from English ('I ate the apple'). In Chinese, '我把苹果吃' sounds broken — the listener is waiting for the consequence. Either drop 把 ('我吃了苹果') or add a result like 完, 掉, or 了.
我把作业写。
我把作业写完了。
Don't Confuse With
把 + Object + Result Complement
Focuses on the state reached.
把 + Object + Direction Complement
Focuses on movement direction.
把 + Object + Verb + Location
Focuses on the final location.
Practice
请___门关上。
Show answer
把
Arrange: 把 / 我 / 书 / 给老师了
Show answer
我把书给老师了。
Translate: Please turn on the computer.
Show answer
请把电脑打开。
Which object works naturally with 把: 一本书 / 书?
Show answer
A specific or known object, such as 这本书 or the contextually known 书.
Write one sentence about handling a specific object.
Show answer
我把手机放在包里了。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 20 Fluentide episodes:
美国政府决定："我们把这些东西，给大家看吧。"
美国政府终于决定，与其继续保密，还不如把不确定的东西也摊开来说。
他们把白宫给烧了。
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 把 + Object + Verb in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.