Object focus with 把

Mandarin word order is very strict, as we have seen. But in some cases, you can actually shift the word order around for emphasis.

Use the particle 把 to bring focus to the object of an action by moving it up to the front of the sentence.

把你的包给我

Give me your bag.

This particular construction (“As for … give it to me”) is very common in spoken language, making up the majority of everyday uses of 把.

Here are some other ways you can use 把:

你先把这个拿开一下

First, take this out of the way.

我已经把你的东西卖了

I’ve already sold your things.