在汉语里，由于动词没有语态(voice)，所以被动语态并不像英语那样一定有明确的形式标志。只要主语代表动作的受事，句子就可以叫被动语态。所以，被动语态也可以叫受事主语句。
(二)汉语被动语态的分类
汉语被动语态根据是否有标记，可以分为：有标记被动语态和无标记被动语态。有标记被动语态又可以分为五种格式：
1.受事+被(叫/让/给)+施事+动词
2.受事+被(给)+动词
3.受事+被(叫/让/为)+施事+所+动词
4.受事+被(叫/让)+施事+给+动词
5.受事1 + 被(叫/给/让/为) + (施事) + 动词 + 受事2
从以上五种格式看，除了第二种没有引进施事以外，其余都引进了施事，虽然略有不同，但都可以译为英语的被动语态。
汉语被动句翻译总原则是：确定英语的动词，根据所确定的英语动词的构句原则来翻译。
(三)有标记被动语态的翻译
1.受事+被(叫/让/给)+施事+动词
他的鞋子被尖利的石头咬破了，被海水浸湿了。
His shoes have been gnawed open by sharp stone, and soaked by the seawater.
2.受事+被(给)+动词
1)门好像被推开了。
The door seemed to be opened by someone.
2)他的辫子给剪掉了。
His braid (pigtail) was forced to be cut. / He had to have his pigtail cut.
3.受事+被(叫/让/为)+施事+所+动词
1)我们确信，一切困难将被全国人民的英勇奋斗所战胜。
We are certain that all difficulties will be overcome by the heroic people of the whole country.
We are certain that the heroic people of the whole country will overcome any difficulty.
2)我深深地被他的话所感动，心理激动不已。
I was deeply touched and inspired by his words (what he said).
3)新官上任，必为众目所瞩。
People’s close attention (eyes) must be paid to the newly appointed official.
The new appointed official will surely arouse people’s general concern.
新官上任三把火。
A new official applies strict measures; a new broom sweeps clean.
4.受事+被(叫/让)+施事+给+动词
1)过桥时我的帽子叫风给吹跑了。
My cap was blown off by the wind while I was crossing the bridge.
2)地上的水让太阳给晒干了。
The water on the ground dried in the sun.
晒棉被 dry a quilt in the sun/ air a quilt
晒衣服 dry clothes in the sun / air clothes
晒谷子 dry grain in the sun
(使爆晒Insolate)
晒太阳 sunbathe, bask in the sun, enjoy the sunshine
除了以上四种形式外，还有一种格式：
5.受事1+被(叫、给、让)+(施事)+动词+受事2。
这种被动句的翻译要仔细分析，受事1与受事2之间的语义关系，才能确定英语中用哪里一个受事作英语被动句的主语。汉语受事1与受事2之间的语义有如下几种：
1) 受事1与受事2之间是领属关系：
到底如何翻译取决于在英语中所选用的动词的特点。领属有所属关系、整体与部分的关系、总数与分数的关系。试比较：
1)他被敌人打死了爸爸。(他和爸爸是所属关系，两个受事合并在一起翻译。)
His father was killed by the enemy.
2)他被敌人打(刺)伤了腿。(两个受事是整体与部分的关系,人的受事作主语)
He was wounded by the enemy’s shot (with a sword) in the leg.
He was shot in the leg by the enemy.
3)三只小猪被抓走了两只。(两个受事是总数与分数的关系)
Two of the three pigs were snatched away.
英语中有些动词要接两个动作的承受者;一个是人;一个是人的身体部位。人作动作的直接承受者，直接放在动词之后，身体部位作动词的间接承受者，用介词加以连接。在变成被动语态时，只能是直接承受者即人，作被动句的主语。具体句式如下：
主动句：Agent + Verb +Receiver as a man + Prep. + Part of body.
被动句:Receiver as a man+Be+Past-participle+ Prep.+ Part of body.
如：
hit sb 介词+身体部位
He hit her on the head with a bottle.
Slash sb 介词+身体部位
Slash sb on the back用鞭子抽打某人的背。
因此，受事1与受事2的领属关系，要根据情况来翻译。
2) 受事2表示句中动词的结果
1)他被打得失去了知觉。
He was beaten senseless.
2) 不一会儿，他就被剃了一个大光头。
Very soon, he has had his head fully shaven.
3) 受事2表示接受事物对象，相当于主动句中的间接宾语。
1)那本书叫我送给别人了。
I have given that book to others./ That book has been given to others.
2)连八岁的妹妹都被卖给了人家。
Even my eight-year-old sister was already sold.
4)受事2表示动作所借以进行的材料工具。
1)墙壁被刷上了一层深蓝色。
The wall was painted dark blue.
2) 灌木丛上覆盖一层雪。
The bush was varnished with snow.
可见，如果宾语是具体的物质名词，翻译时多半可以用with 来连接宾语。
5.受事2与动词组成一个整体，形成一个惯用语。
1)她已经结了婚，丈夫被抓了壮丁。
She was already married, but soon his husband was pressganged into the KMT’s army.
2)脚肚子一软，植物学者竟像被点了穴，迈不动步了。
Suddenly his leg felt weak, the botanist could not step forward as if his vital points were touched.
(四)无标记被动语态的翻译
在英语中，主语是动作的发出者还是动作的承受者，往往是用动词的拼写形式或组合形式来表示的，其基本结构为： Subject + BE+PASTPARTICIPLE。
需要说明的是，英语的被动语态并非英语语言一开始就是这样的。在语言发展的初期，任何民族的语言，一个动词既具有主动意义又具有被动意义。英语也不例外。也就是说，英语中也可以用主动形式表被动意义。不过，在英语中，这种既可表主动又可表被动的动词在日趋减少。多属那些及物动词变为不及物动词使用，用动作来表示性质、状态时，动词才用主动表示被动。汉语动词由于没有“时”和“态”的变化形式，因此，在表示主语和动词的语义关系时只能凭借人的意会，在不产生歧义的情况下，一般不用有标记的被动语态。同时，即使是有标记的被动语态也是带有很强的情感色彩在里面。因此，翻译时，既要注意是否符合英语的习惯，又要注意译成被动语态后，上下文语义是否连贯，衔接是否自然，同时还要注意汉语有标记被动语态的情感色彩。
汉语语义被动语态有三种形式：
(1)主动形式的被动句
(2)主语+挨(遭、受)+宾语
(3)话题+主语+动词 (其中的“话题”是“动词”的受事，见主谓谓语句的翻译)
1汉语语义被动语态译成英语的语义被动语态
1) 他的科学论文读起来象小说。
His scientific papers read like novels.
2)西瓜尝起来很香甜。
Watermelons taste sweet.
2.汉语的语义被动语态翻译成英语有标记被动语态。
1) 他的脸晒黑了。
His face was tanned.
2)教学大楼提前建成了。
The class building has been completed ahead of schedule.
3. 汉语中“主语+挨(遭)+宾语”结构搭配及其翻译
挨：
1)他挨了骂不算，还挨了一顿打。
On top of a tongue-lashing, he got a beating as well.
2)侵略军一进入山地，就处处挨打。
Once they got into the mountainous area, the invaders took a beating wherever they went.
遭
遭到严重破坏be seriously damaged (by)
遭人白眼 be treated with disdain
1)你遭她骗了。
You have been taken in by him.
2)这个工厂在地震中遭到严重破坏。
This factory was seriously damaged during the earthquake.
受
四面受敌 be attacked on all sides
受罚 be punished
1)这种新产品很受市场欢迎。
This new product has been well received in the market.
This new product sells well in the market.
2)这次霜冻，冻死不少的庄稼。
A lot of crops were damaged by the frost.
(五)汉语被动语态的语义色彩的翻译
汉语的被动句多数情况下含有不如意，不愉快的含义;这种不如意，不愉快主要是针对主语而言的，有时是针对说话人而言的。而英语之所以使用被动句的理由有以下几条：1)着重被动的动作;2)突出动作的承受者(人或事物)的重要性;3)不知道或无须说出动作的执行者;4)便利上下文的连贯、衔接。因此，英语被动句没有汉语被动句所含有的色彩意义。汉语被动句的色彩语义翻译时只能融入英语动词之中或整个句子中。因此，在汉译英时，要特注意汉语被动句的色彩意义的翻译。
1)陶医生，我们被发配到山西哪儿? 你知道吗?
Doctor Tao, it was said that we would be sent into exile, do you know wherever we would be banished?
2)昨晚一阵大风，教室的玻璃被打碎了两块。
It blew in gust last night and two pieces of window glass were unexpectedly broken.
汉语有标记被动语态表示的这种“不如意”、“不愉快”的色彩意义，只有 “被”字和“受”字逐渐地在淡化，也就是说， “被” “受”也可以表示“如意”、 “愉快”的含义。如
3)一批优秀的高中级知识分子被吸收入党。
A group of higher or middle rank intellectuals have been admitted into the Party.
