Understanding Passive Voice in Japanese
What is Passive Voice in Japanese?
In Japanese, the passive voice is used to express actions being done to the subject rather than by the subject. This often conveys a sense of being affected by the action, whether positively or negatively.
The passive voice in Japanese is different from English, as it often emphasizes the impact on the subject rather than the action itself.
Forming Passive Voice
Regular Verbs
The general rule for forming the passive voice involves modifying verb endings. Here are the steps to convert regular verbs:
- For -u verbs, change the final -u sound to an -a sound, then add -reru
- For -ru verbs, remove -ru and add -rareru
Irregular Verbs
Japanese irregular verbs also follow specific rules for passive voice:
- する (to do) becomes される
- くる (to come) becomes こられる
Examples of Passive Voice in Japanese
本は先生に読まれた。
The book was read by the teacher.
お金は泥棒に取られた。
The money was taken by the thief.
When to Use Passive Voice
Use passive voice in Japanese for the following purposes:
- Highlighting the person affected by the action
- Describing unfortunate or unwanted situations
- Formal writing and expressions
Common Mistakes
Practice What You've Learned
The best way to master passive voice in Japanese is to practice constructing sentences. Try translating English sentences to passive voice in Japanese and read them aloud to familiarize yourself with the structure.
Further Reading
- Japanese Traditional Grammar
Deepen your understanding of Japanese grammar.
- Japanese Grammar Guide
Comprehensive guide to Japanese grammar structures.
- Bunpro – An SRS Japanese Grammar Companion
Practice grammar points in context using spaced repetition.