Can verbs with the suffix 化 use passive verb construction?

xiaophil
May 04, 2010 at 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.

 

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huiguo
May 04, 2010 at 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)

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corallizi
May 04, 2010 at 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.

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huiguo
May 04, 2010 at 09:58 AM

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

AND QUITE HAPPY TO HELP YOU

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xiaophil
May 04, 2010 at 09:53 AM

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

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huiguo
May 04, 2010 at 09:51 AM

VERB+化 ALREADY HAS THE MEANING OF 被

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

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xiaophil
May 04, 2010 at 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?