được vs bị — Positive vs Negative Passive

Quick Answer

In Vietnamese, both được and bị are used to form passive sentences, but they carry different connotations regarding the outcome for the subject. Use được when the action results in something positive, beneficial, or desired for the subject, or simply states a neutral fact. Use bị when the action results in something negative, undesirable, or detrimental to the subject.

Comparison Table

Detailed Explanation

The choice between được and bị in passive constructions is crucial for conveying the speaker's perspective on the event. It’s not just about grammatical correctness but also about the nuance of meaning.

Using Được

Được is used when the subject of the sentence experiences a passive action that is generally seen as positive, advantageous, or desired. It can also be used for neutral passive statements where the outcome isn't necessarily good or bad, but simply states that an action has been completed or an event has occurred. In some contexts, được can imply permission or success.

• Positive/Beneficial: The subject receives something good. (e.g., được thưởng - to be rewarded, được yêu - to be loved)
• Permission/Ability: The subject is allowed to do something or is able to do something. (e.g., được đi chơi - to be allowed to go out, được nói - to be allowed to speak)
• Neutral Fact: Simply stating that an action occurred to the subject without specific positive or negative emphasis. (e.g., được xây - to be built, được thông báo - to be informed)

Using Bị

Bị is employed when the subject undergoes a passive action that results in a negative, unfortunate, or undesired outcome. It implies suffering, harm, or an experience that the subject would rather avoid.

• Negative/Detrimental: The subject experiences something bad. (e.g., bị đau - to be hurt, bị mất - to be lost/stolen, bị bệnh - to get sick)
• Unwanted Event: An event happens to the subject against their will or to their detriment. (e.g., bị phạt - to be punished, bị đánh - to be hit)

Example Pairs

Common Patterns

Here are some fixed expressions or common patterns where only one of được or bị is typically used:

• Positive/Neutral situations commonly use được:
• được khen (to be praised)
• được thưởng (to be rewarded)
• được mời (to be invited)
• được yêu (to be loved)
• được biết (to be known, to be informed)
• Negative situations commonly use bị:
• bị bệnh (to get sick)
• bị thương (to be injured)
• bị phạt (to be punished)
• bị hỏng (to be broken)
• bị mất (to be lost/stolen)
• bị cháy (to be burned)
• bị bắt (to be arrested)

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1 — Using được for a negative event

Learners often mistakenly use được in situations where the outcome is clearly negative, simply because it creates a passive voice.

❌ Con chó được chết vì tai nạn.

✅ Con chó bị chết vì tai nạn.

Why it's wrong and how to fix it: Dying in an accident is an unfortunate and negative event for the dog, so bị must be used instead of được.

Mistake 2 — Using bị for a positive event

Conversely, using bị for a positive or beneficial event implies an unwanted negative outcome, changing the meaning entirely.

❌ Cô ấy bị khen ngợi vì sự chăm chỉ.

✅ Cô ấy được khen ngợi vì sự chăm chỉ.

Why it's wrong and how to fix it: Being praised (khen ngợi) is a positive thing. Using bị here would suggest she suffered from the praise, which is incorrect. Được correctly conveys the positive reception of praise.

Mistake 3 — Confusing active and passive được

Được can also mean 'to get, to receive' in an active sense, but in passive constructions, its role is different.

❌ Tôi được một cuốn sách.

✅ Tôi được tặng một cuốn sách. (Passive) ✅ Tôi có một cuốn sách. (Active)

Why it's wrong and how to fix it: In the first incorrect sentence, được is used like 'to get' but without the verb that makes it passive. When you mean 'to receive a gift', you need the passive verb tặng (to be given/gifted). If you just mean 'to have' a book, use có.

Related Grammar Points

• hơn vs nhất vs bằng — Comparative vs Superlative vs Equal (Comparison A2)
• vừa vs mới — Just (Emphasis vs Recent) (Comparison A2)
• còn (still) vs còn (also) — Two Meanings of còn (Comparison A2)
• nên vs cho nên vs vì vậy — So/Therefore (Register) (Comparison A2)
• cái này vs đây — This (Classifier) vs Here (Comparison A2)
• sắp vs gần — About To (Time vs Space/Time) (Comparison A2)

Quick Quiz

Fill in the blank with [được or [bị:

1. Anh ấy _____ thưởng một chuyến đi du lịch.

Hint: Receiving a reward is usually a good thing.

2. Điện thoại của tôi _____ rơi xuống nước.

Hint: A phone falling into water is typically a bad event.

3. Dự án đã _____ hoàn thành đúng thời hạn.

Hint: Completing a project on time is a successful outcome.