被动

The Chinese word 被动 (bèidòng) is composed of two characters: 被 (bèi) and 动 (dòng). 被 (bèi) means "to be subjected to" or "to be affected by", while 动 (dòng) means "to move" or "to act". Together, 被动 (bèidòng) literally means "to be moved by" or "to be acted upon". In a figurative sense, 被动 (bèidòng) is used to describe a state of passivity, inaction, or receptivity. It can also be used to describe a person or thing that is easily influenced or controlled by others.The word 被动 (bèidòng) has a long history in the Chinese language. It can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), when it was first used in the philosophical text Huainanzi. In this text, 被动 (bèidòng) is used to describe the state of a person who is not in control of their own actions or destiny. Over time, the meaning of 被动 (bèidòng) has evolved to include the more general sense of passivity, inaction, or receptivity.Today, 被动 (bèidòng) is a commonly used word in Chinese. It is used in a variety of contexts, including:* To describe a person or thing that is not in control of their own actions or destiny* To describe a state of passivity, inaction, or receptivity* To describe a person or thing that is easily influenced or controlled by others被动 (bèidòng) is an important word to know for HSK learners, as it is used frequently in both spoken and written Chinese. By understanding the etymology and meaning of 被动 (bèidòng), HSK learners can better understand the nuances of this word and use it correctly in their own writing and speaking.