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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜(ら)れる (honorific)

    〜(ら)れる (honorific)

    〜(ら)れる (honorific)

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

    N4KMT6RespectfulStandardHonorific ConstructionMixedPassive Voice FunctionsGrammar

    Verb [passive form]Primary

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

    社しゃ長ちょうはもう会かい社しゃを出でられました。

    The company president has already left the office.

    RespectfulPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & CareerBusiness & Finance
    先せん生せいは明あし日たの会かい議ぎには出しゅっ席せきされません。

    The professor will not be attending tomorrow's meeting.

    RespectfulNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEducationWork & Career
    こちらが、山やま田だ様さまが予よ約やくされたお部へ屋やでございます。

    This is the room that you, Ms. Yamada, have reserved.

    RespectfulPastAffirmativePrenominalDeclarativeTravel & TransportationBusiness & Finance
    お客きゃく様さま、何なん時じ頃ごろに来こられますか。

    Valued customer, around what time will you be arriving?

    RespectfulNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & FinanceDaily Life
    田た中なか先せん生せいがこの論ろん文ぶんを書かかれたと伺うかがいました。

    I heard (humbly) that Professor Tanaka wrote this paper.

    HumblePastAffirmativeMid SentenceHearsayEducationLiterature

    This form shows respect. But it is like a polite nod. Other forms are like a deep bow. Use those for very important people or events.

    This form shows respect. It is different from the passive voice. The passive voice shows someone receiving an action. It is also different from the potential form. The potential form shows what someone can do.

    Watch out: This form can be tricky. For example, '先生が呼ばれた' could mean 'The teacher was called'. But it usually means 'The teacher called' when showing respect. Also, '社長は来られますか?' means 'Will the president come?' not 'Can the president come?'.

    Often confused with(1)

    〜(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.

    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.

    〜(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.

    〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

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

    いらっしゃる

    This word is a polite way to say "to be," "to go," or "to come." You use it to show respect for the person doing the action.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    often_confused_with

    • 〜(ら)れる (direct passive)

    contrasts_with

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

    prerequisite

    • 受身形 (られる)
    • 〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)
    • いらっしゃる
    • 〜ておかれる

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