Introduction:
If you've reached HSK4, you've probably met the mysterious character 把 (bǎ). It often confuses students because it changes the usual sentence order. Don't be scared! The 把 sentence is a very useful and common structure in Chinese. It helps you emphasize what happens to an object.

The Core Structure:
The basic formula is:
Subject + 把 + Object + Verb Phrase + (了)

Let's break it down:

• Subject: The person doing the action.

• 把: The marker that tells you a special sentence is coming.

• Object: The thing that is disposed of or affected by the action. It must be something specific or known.

• Verb Phrase: This is crucial. The verb cannot be alone; it needs something else, like 了, a complement, or a second object, to show the result.

Examples:

1. Normal sentence: 我喝了咖啡。 (Wǒ hē le kāfēi.) - I drank coffee.
   把 sentence: 我把咖啡喝了。 (Wǒ bǎ kāfēi hē le.) - I drank the coffee (emphasizing that the coffee is gone).

2. Normal sentence: 请打开门。 (Qǐng dǎkāi mén.) - Please open the door.
   把 sentence: 请把门打开。 (Qǐng bǎ mén dǎkāi.) - Please open the door. (This sounds more natural when giving instructions).

3. Normal sentence: 妈妈放水果在桌子上。 (Māma fàng shuǐguǒ zài zhuōzi shàng.) - Mom put fruit on the table.
   把 sentence: 妈妈把水果放在桌子上。 (Māma bǎ shuǐguǒ fàng zài zhuōzi shàng.) - Mom put the fruit on the table.

When to Use 把:

• When the action has a clear effect on the object (e.g., moving it, changing it, finishing it).

• Often used in requests and instructions.

• Remember: You cannot use 把 with verbs like 是 (shì), 有 (yǒu), 喜欢 (xǐhuan), or 在 (zài).

Practice:
Change these sentences into 把 sentences:

1. 我做完作业了。 (Wǒ zuò wán zuòyè le.) - I finished my homework.
   (Answer: 我把作业做完了。)

2. 请拿你的书给我。 (Qǐng ná nǐ de shū gěi wǒ.) - Please bring your book to me.
   (Answer: 请把你的书拿给我。)