Can verbs with the suffix 化 use passive verb construction?

xiaophil
May 04, 2010, 09:14 AM posted in I Have a Question

So yeah, the question is in the title.  The reason I ask is because in English, when we add 'ize' to a verb, we often use a passive construction, e.g. "this system has been modernized."  For some reason I think "这个系统被现代化" sounds totally wrong.  Am I right to think that 被 verb+化 do not work well together?

Thanks in advance!

PS:This post was inspired by this Qingwen.  I placed this here because it is easier for me to review later, and in addition, I feel like questions somehow get answered better in this group.  If anyone thinks this is a bad way to go about things, let me know.

 

Profile picture
huiguo
May 04, 2010, 09:38 AM

Well actually "verb+化" is widely used by us in chinese, but it sounds a little bit strange to say "系统被现代化". It may be better to say "系统更新" i think.

By the way, "…化" are often used as adjectives. Here are some examples of "…化"

信息化

电算化

电子化

现代化

工业化(工业化进程 工业化道路)

数字化(数字化电视)

Profile picture
xiaophil

huiguo

Thanks so much for the answer!

However, I'm not sure you understood me. I do know verb+化 is common, but is 被 verb+化 commonly used in Chinese?

Profile picture
huiguo

VERB+化 ALREADY HAS THE MEANING OF 被

AND VERB+化 IS USED AS ADJ. FOR THE MOST TIME

Profile picture
xiaophil

Okay, I got it. Thanks for the answer. It's really helpful!

Profile picture
huiguo

IN ADDITION 被.... IS A FASHIONABLE COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS

AND QUITE HAPPY TO HELP YOU

Profile picture
corallizi

Hi, I'm a Chinese girl who want to improve my English very much and I'm really interested in learning English. I was wondering would you please do me this favor to help me with my English. I can also help you with your Chinese as long as you need, though your Chinese seems really good.

Profile picture
xiaophil
May 04, 2010, 09:48 AM

huiguo

Thanks so much for the answer!

However, I'm not sure you understood me. I do know verb+化 is common, but is 被 verb+化 commonly used in Chinese?

Profile picture
huiguo
May 04, 2010, 09:51 AM

VERB+化 ALREADY HAS THE MEANING OF 被

AND VERB+化 IS USED AS ADJ. FOR THE MOST TIME

Profile picture
huiguo
May 04, 2010, 09:58 AM

IN ADDITION 被.... IS A FASHIONABLE COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS

AND QUITE HAPPY TO HELP YOU

Profile picture
corallizi
May 04, 2010, 11:30 AM

Hi, I'm a Chinese girl who want to improve my English very much and I'm really interested in learning English. I was wondering would you please do me this favor to help me with my English. I can also help you with your Chinese as long as you need, though your Chinese seems really good.