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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜(ら)れる (direct passive)

    〜(ら)れる (direct passive)

    〜(ら)れる (direct passive)

    This grammar shows that someone or something is directly affected by an action. It focuses on what happened to them, not who did it.

    N4KMT4NeutralStandardAuxiliary VerbMixedPassive Voice FunctionsGrammar

    Verb [passive form]Primary

    This grammar shows that someone or something is directly affected by an action. It focuses on what happened to them, not who did it.

    この本ほんは有ゆう名めいな作さっ家かによって書かかれました。

    This book was written by a famous author.

    PolitePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeLiteratureArt & Design
    その問もん題だいはまだ解かい決けつされていない。

    That problem has not been solved yet.

    NeutralProgressiveNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeCore ConceptsScience & Math
    兄あに食にたべられたケーキは、とても美お味いしかった。

    The cake that was eaten by my brother was very delicious.

    NeutralPastAffirmativePrenominalDeclarativeFood & DiningFamily & Relationships
    会かい議ぎで新あたらしいプロジェクトが発はっ表ぴょうされ、みんな驚おどろいていた。

    A new project was announced at the meeting, and everyone was surprised.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & CareerBusiness & Finance
    次つぎのオリンピックはパリで開ひらかれる予よ定ていです。

    The next Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in Paris.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeSports & Martial ArtsTravel & Transportation

    This is different from the indirect passive. The indirect passive shows you are affected by something else. This is also different from the honorific passive. The honorific passive uses the same words. But it shows respect, not that something was done to you.

    Watch out: Group 2 verbs can be tricky. Their passive form looks like their potential form. For example, “taberareru” can mean “can eat” or “is eaten.” You must look at the rest of the sentence. If you see “ni” (に) with a person, it usually means passive. Like “ani ni taberareta” means “was eaten by my brother.”

    Use this when you want to talk about something that happened. You can focus on the thing that changed. You do not need to say who did it. This makes your words sound formal. It is good for news or reports.

    Often confused with(2)

    〜(ら)れる (indirect / suffering passive)

    This shows someone was bothered by another's action. It means something bad happened to them.

    〜(ら)れる (honorific)

    This grammar shows respect to someone. You use it when someone important does something. It makes them sound more special.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜(ら)れる (indirect / suffering passive)

    This shows someone was bothered by another's action. It means something bad happened to them.

    受身形 (られる)

    This grammar shows that someone or something receives an action. It means something is done to them. It can also show when something bad happens to someone.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    他動詞 (e.g., 開ける)

    This verb shows an action. Someone does something to an object. You often use the particle "o" (を) with the object.

    〜を

    This particle shows the thing that a verb acts on. It tells you what is getting the action.

    〜が

    This word shows who or what is doing the action. It points out new or important information.

    〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

    This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    often_confused_with

    • 〜(ら)れる (indirect / suffering passive)
    • 〜(ら)れる (honorific)

    prerequisite

    • 受身形 (られる)
    • 辞書形
    • 他動詞 (e.g., 開ける)
    • 〜を
    • 〜が
    • 〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)
    • 〜(ら)れる (possessive passive)
    • 〜(ら)れる (passive)

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