The passive form in Japanese is used to express when something is done TO you, or when the subject receives the action. It also expresses indirect harm — a uniquely Japanese use of the passive.
At a Glance
| Verb Group | Formation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (u-verbs) | あ-row + れる | 書く → 書かれる | be written |
| Group 2 (ru-verbs) | Replace る with られる | 食べる → 食べられる | be eaten |
| Irregular する | される | 批判される | be criticized |
| Irregular くる | こられる | 来られる | have (someone) come |
Direct Passive — The Basic Use
The direct passive describes an action performed ON the subject:
この映画は多くの人に見られた。 — This movie was watched by many people.
窓が割られた。 — The window was broken. (by someone)
Pattern: [subject] が/は [agent] に [verb-passive]
Indirect Passive — Expressing Harm or Inconvenience
Japanese has a special “suffering passive” where the subject is AFFECTED or inconvenienced by someone else’s action — even if the action wasn’t done directly to them.
電車の中で、隣の人に足を踏まれた。 — (I was) stepped on the foot by the person next to me on the train.
雨に降られて、びしょ濡れになった。 — I was caught in the rain (and got soaked). [literally: rained on me]
友達に来られて、勉強できなかった。 — My friend came over and I couldn’t study. (their coming disturbed me)
YukaThe indirect passive sounds strange — you’re saying rain “did something to you”?
ReiIt sounds odd in English but in Japanese this is a natural way to express that an outside event caused you inconvenience. The rain didn’t target you, but the passive expresses that it affected you negatively. Very common in everyday Japanese!
YukaHow is 犬に噛まれた different from just 犬が噛んだ?
Rei犬が噛んだ = The dog bit (neutral statement about the dog). 犬に噛まれた = I was bitten by the dog (your perspective — it happened to you). The passive shifts the focus to the person affected.
5 Practice Sentences
| # | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 彼女は先生に褒められた。 | She was praised by the teacher. |
| 2 | 財布を盗まれた。 | I had my wallet stolen. |
| 3 | この本は世界中で読まれている。 | This book is being read around the world. |
| 4 | 子供に泣かれて、困った。 | The child cried and it caused me trouble. (indirect passive) |
| 5 | 彼は会社に解雇された。 | He was fired by the company. |
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing potential られる with passive られる | Context determines meaning | 食べられる = can eat (potential) OR is eaten (passive) |
| Missing the に for the agent | 先生に怒られた (not 先生が) | In passive, the agent (doer) is marked with に |
Quick Quiz
Convert to passive:
1. 先生が生徒を褒める → 生徒が先生に褒められる
2. 誰かが私のケーキを食べた → 私のケーキが食べられた
3. 雨が私を濡らした (indirect) → 私は雨に降られた
Practice in the Comments!
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Keep Learning: Grammar Hub | Potential Form | て-Form Guide
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