把 bǎ grasp
grasp; object marker; measure word for things with a handle
How to remember 把: 扌 hand + 巴 wait for = grasp. The goalkeeper's hand cannot wait for the ball to drop and shoots up to catch it in a firm grasp.
Component breakdown
把 = 扌 hand + 巴 wait for
- 扌 hand
- 巴 wait for
The goalkeeper's hand cannot wait for the ball to drop and shoots up to catch it in a firm grasp.
How it is used
- The 把-construction: 把 + object + verb fronts the object to say what you DO to it - 把门关上 (bǎ mén guānshàng) close the door, 把书放好 (bǎ shū fàng hǎo) put the book away. The verb needs a result/direction attached (关上, 放好), never bare.
- Use it when acting ON a specific, known object and changing/moving/disposing of it; a bare 我关门 is fine, but 把 highlights the handling and the outcome.
- Also the measure word for things with a handle - 一把伞 (yì bǎ sǎn) an umbrella, 一把刀 (yì bǎ dāo) a knife, 一把椅子 (yì bǎ yǐzi) a chair.
- 把握 (bǎwò) = to grasp/be sure of (an opportunity, a point): 有把握 (yǒu bǎwò) to be confident.
Words with 把
Example sentences
- 我把房子卖了。 Wǒ bǎ fángzi mài le.I sold the house.
- 这儿有一把椅子。 Zhèr yǒu yì bǎ yǐzi.There is a chair here.
- 请把它拿给司机。 Qǐng bǎ tā ná gěi sījī.Please give it to the driver.
- 她把文件放在桌上。 Tā bǎ wénjiàn fàng zài zhuō shàng.She puts the file on the desk.