HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#38
Colloquial Passive-Like Sentences with “gěi”
给（口语被动用法）
How it works
In spoken Chinese, 给 (gěi) can sometimes be used in passive-like sentences. This use is more colloquial and often appears when the speaker wants to describe something happening to someone, usually with an unwanted feeling.
It is similar to 被 (bèi) in some contexts, but sounds more spoken and emotional.
The pattern
Patient + 给 + (Agent) + Verb + Result / Complement
Example sentences
我的手机不知道什么时候给我弄丢了。
I don’t know when I managed to lose my phone.
这么重要的文件怎么能给忘了呢？
How could such an important document be forgotten?
他辛辛苦苦准备了这么久，结果机会却给别人拿走了。
He prepared for so long with great effort, but in the end the opportunity was taken by someone else.
Key point
This use of 给 (gěi) is strongly spoken and often carries a feeling of regret, complaint, or helplessness.