Meaning & Usage
The 受身形 (passive voice) is more than just a grammatical flip of a sentence. For N3 learners, it is a vital tool for expressing empathy and perspective. In English, we use the passive to sound formal (e.g., 'The report was finished'). In Japanese, however, the passive often conveys how an event personally affected the speaker, frequently with a nuance of being inconvenienced.
Think of the Japanese passive as having two distinct modes. First, the 'Neutral Passive' describes objective facts, like those found in news reports or history books. Second, and more common in daily life, is the 'Adversative Passive' (also known as the 'Suffering Passive'). This form is used when something happens to you that causes trouble or annoyance. For example, while 'It rained' is a simple fact, saying 雨に降られた ('I was rained on') implies the rain ruined your plans.
You will also encounter the passive as a form of 敬語 (honorific speech). In formal settings, using the passive can soften a sentence to show respect to the person performing the action. To identify who did what, look for the particles: は marks the person affected, and に marks the person who did the action.
Structure & Formation
Conjugation depends on the verb group. Note that for Group 2 verbs, the passive form looks identical to the potential form ('can do'). You must rely on the surrounding context to tell them apart.
| Verb Group | Rule | Example (Dictionary -> Passive) |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (U-verbs) | Change the final ~u sound to ~a and add れる (reru) | 書く -> 書かれる
話す -> 話される |
| Group 2 (Ru-verbs) | Remove ~ru and add られる (rareru) | 食べる -> 食べられる
見る -> 見られる |
| Group 3 (Irregular) | する becomes される; くる becomes こられる | する -> される
来る -> 来られる |
Special Rule: For Group 1 verbs ending in a single う (like 買う), the sound changes to わ instead of あ, resulting in 買われる.
Example Sentences
Direct Passive (The Receiver is the Subject)
私は先生に褒められました。
watashi wa sensei ni homeraremashita.
I was praised by my teacher.
弟は母に叱られました。
otouto wa haha ni shikararemashita.
My younger brother was scolded by my mother.
犯人は警察に捕まりました。
hannin wa keisatsu ni tsukamarimashita.
The criminal was caught by the police.
Indirect (Adversative) Passive
Use these when someone's action has a negative impact on you.
電車の中で足を踏まれました。
densha no naka de ashi wo fumaremashita.
I had my foot stepped on inside the train.
隣の人にタバコを吸われて、気分が悪いです。
tonari no hito ni tabako wo suwarete, kibun ga warui desu.
The person next to me smoked (and it made me feel sick).
帰り道で雨に降られました。
kaerimichi de ame ni furaremashita.
It rained on me on my way home (to my annoyance).
Passive with Intransitive Verbs
In Japanese, even verbs that don't take an object (like 'cry' or 'die') can be used in the passive to show someone was troubled by that action.
夜中に赤ちゃんに泣かれて、寝られませんでした。
yonaka ni akachan ni nakarete, neraremasen deshita.
The baby cried during the night (on me), and I couldn't sleep.
後ろの人に騒がれて、映画がよく聞こえませんでした。
ushiro no hito ni sawagarete, eiga ga yoku kikoemasen deshita.
The people behind me were making noise, so I couldn't hear the movie well.
Public Facts and Inventions
「坊ちゃん」は夏目漱石によって書かれました。
"Botchan" wa Natsume Souseki ni yotte kakaremashita.
"Botchan" was written by Natsume Souseki.
日本の漫画は世界中で読まれています。
Nihon no manga wa sekaijuu de yomarete imasu.
Japanese manga are read all over the world.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing Potential and Passive
❌ 納豆が食べられますか？ (Am I being eaten by natto?)
✅ 納豆が食べられますか？ (Can you eat natto?)
Because the forms for Group 2 verbs overlap, context is everything. If the subject is an inanimate object like food, it is almost always the potential form ('can eat') or a general statement, not a passive 'victim' action.
Mistake 2: Mixing up Particles
❌ 私は犬が噛まれました。
✅ 私は犬に噛まれました。
In passive sentences, the person or animal that performs the action (the 'attacker') must be marked with に. Using が here would incorrectly make the dog the one receiving the bite.
Mistake 3: Using Passive for Favors
❌ 田中さんに日本語を教えられました。
✅ 田中さんに日本語を教えてもらいました。
If someone does something helpful for you, use ~てあげる or ~てもらう. Using the passive 教えられる implies that you were forced to learn or that Tanaka's teaching was an unwanted burden.
Cultural Notes
The frequent use of the passive voice reflects a Japanese cultural preference for indirectness. In English, we often point fingers (e.g., 'You forgot the keys'), but Japanese speakers often prefer to describe the situation from the perspective of the person affected. This maintains 和 (harmony) by avoiding direct blame.
The 'adversative' passive is a perfect example of this. By saying 雨に降られた, you aren't complaining about the rain itself. Instead, you are framing yourself as a 'victim' of circumstance. This social trope helps elicit sympathy and explains why you might be late or look disheveled without sounding aggressive.
Related Grammar Points
- Volitional Form (意向形): Expressing Intention, Invitation, and Attempt (Grammar N3)
- Potential Form (可能形) — How to Express Ability (Grammar N3)
- Grammar Point: 気味 (gimi) — A Slight Tendency / Feeling A Bit Like (Grammar N3)
- ことにしている — Make It A Rule To / I Always Make Sure To (Grammar N3)
- ざるを得ない — Have No Choice But (Grammar N3)
- Imperative Form — Commanding and Ordering (Grammar N3)
JLPT Tips
For N3, pay close attention to the adversative passive in listening sections. If you hear a speaker use a passive verb, they are likely expressing dissatisfaction. Look for clues like 'shimatta' or a frustrated tone of voice.
When you see によって (ni yotte) in reading passages, it is a major hint. This particle is almost exclusively used for inventions, artistic creations, or historical events (e.g., 'invented by,' 'designed by'). If the sentence mentions a famous creator, によって is usually the required particle.
Finally, always check the particles to distinguish potential and passive for Group 2 verbs. If a sentence uses を in a passive structure (like 足を踏まれた), it's a clear indicator of the adversative passive, as the potential form rarely takes を.