受身形 (passive)

N4

passive form

Formation

Godan: -a + れる / Ichidan: -ra + れる

Explanation

The passive form indicates that the subject is affected by someone else's action. In Japanese, it can also express being inconvenienced by an action (suffering passive).

Examples

先生に褒められました。
せんせいにほめられました。
I was praised by the teacher.
雨に降られた。
あめにふられた。
I got rained on (and it bothered me).

Common Mistakes

  • !Japanese passive can express inconvenience — the 'suffering passive' is unique to Japanese

Related Grammar

Practice 受身形 (passive) in conversation

Master grammar naturally through AI-powered Japanese scenarios.

Start Learning Free