被...所...结构
Reach for this when you want a formal, slightly literary passive — 'is/was V-ed by.' The 被...所... frame is the written-register cousin of plain 被: same passive meaning, but with 所 inserted before a one-character verb to make it sound more polished. Common in essays, news leads, academic writing, and book titles ('被时代所遗忘的人' — people forgotten by their era). Avoid it in casual speech; use plain 被 there.
Structure
Subject (recipient) + 被 + Agent + 所 + Verb
bèi... suǒ...
How to Think About It
所 is a classical 'nominalizer' that turns a verb into something more abstract — 'that which is V-ed.' Inserting it between 被 and the verb gives the whole passive a formal, almost timeless register. Think of it like the difference between 'eaten by wolves' and 'devoured by wolves' — same event, different register. The verb after 所 is almost always one syllable: 所知, 所爱, 所遗忘, 所感动, 所吸引.
Examples
他被这部电影所深深感动。
Tā bèi zhè bù diànyǐng suǒ shēnshēn gǎndòng.
He was deeply moved by this movie.
这些古老的传统正逐渐被人们所遗忘。
Zhèxiē gǔlǎo de chuántǒng zhèng zhújiàn bèi rénmen suǒ yíwàng.
These ancient traditions are gradually being forgotten by people.
他的观点被越来越多的学者所接受。
Tā de guāndiǎn bèi yuè lái yuè duō de xuézhě suǒ jiēshòu.
His views are being accepted by more and more scholars.
这位作家被广大读者所喜爱。
Zhè wèi zuòjiā bèi guǎngdà dúzhě suǒ xǐ'ài.
This author is loved by a wide readership.
Common Mistake
Learners reach for 被...所... in casual contexts where plain 被 fits, making the sentence sound stilted. The pattern is reserved for formal writing and tends to take one-character verbs.
我的手机被弟弟所拿走了。
我的手机被弟弟拿走了。
Don't Confuse With
被 + Agent + Verb
The default passive — neutral register, works everywhere. Drop the 所 unless you're aiming for a formal, written tone.
为...所...
More classical/literary passive: '为他所爱' ('loved by him'). Even more formal than 被...所... — common in older essays and proverbs.
受到...的 + Verb
'Receive / undergo' — another formal passive construction. 他受到了大家的尊敬. Use when the verb naturally fits as a noun ('respect,' 'influence,' 'attention').
Practice
Fill in: 他的故事被许多人 ___ 知。
Show answer
所
Translate to Chinese (formal register): These customs are gradually being forgotten by young people.
Show answer
这些习俗正逐渐被年轻人所遗忘。
Arrange: 被 / 所 / 大家 / 他的努力 / 看到
Show answer
他的努力被大家所看到。
Use 被...所... in a formal sentence about something that is widely loved or accepted.
Show answer
这部电影被无数观众所喜爱。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 被...所...结构 in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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