8.14 Passive Voice

Forming the passive

ru-verbs: drop る → add られる

u-verbs: change the final vowel from u-row to a-row, then add れる

Irregular: する → される ／ くる → こられる

1. Direct passive (直接受け身)

The subject directly receives an action done by someone else. The agent (the doer) is marked with に.

Structure: Subject は／が + Agent に + Passive verb

Note: によって is used for indirect causes, organizations, or when the agent is not a person acting directly.

2. Adversative passive (迷惑の受け身)

The subject is negatively affected by someone else's action — even if the action was not directed at them. This often expresses inconvenience, annoyance, or unfortunate circumstances.

The key feature of this pattern: the subject suffers from the action, regardless of whether the action was directed at them.

3. Honorific passive (尊敬の受け身)

The passive form is used in formal Japanese to show respect toward someone. This is a polite way to refer to the actions of superiors or customers.

This usage does not involve someone receiving an action — it simply adds formality and respect to the verb.

Summary

| Use | Meaning | Example | |---|---|---| | Direct passive | Subject receives action | 先生に褒められた | | Adversative passive | Subject is negatively affected | 雨に降られた | | Honorific passive | Polite/formal speech | 先生が帰られた |