Passive Form in Japanese Grammar

Learning Japanese can be an exciting yet challenging journey, especially when it comes to understanding the complexities of its grammar. One of the more intricate aspects of Japanese grammar is the passive form. Unlike English, where the passive voice is often avoided, the passive form in Japanese is frequently used and serves various functions. This article will explore the nuances of the passive form in Japanese grammar, providing you with a comprehensive understanding to enhance your language learning experience.

What is the Passive Form?

In English, the passive voice is used to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer. For example, “The book was read by John.” Here, the focus is on the book rather than John. Similarly, in Japanese, the passive form (受身形, うけみけい, ukemi-kei) shifts the focus from the doer to the receiver of the action. However, the Japanese passive form has some unique characteristics and uses that differ from English.

Structure of the Passive Form

To form the passive voice in Japanese, you need to conjugate the verb into its passive form. The passive form can be created for various verb groups, including godan verbs (五段動詞, ごだんどうし), ichidan verbs (一段動詞, いちだんどうし), and irregular verbs.

Godan Verbs

For godan verbs, also known as u-verbs, the passive form is created by changing the final -u sound to the corresponding -a sound and adding “れる” (reru). Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify the verb root by removing the final -u.
2. Add the corresponding -a sound to the root.
3. Add “れる” (reru) to the new root.

For example:
– 書く (かく, kaku) → 書かれる (かかれる, kakareru)
– 読む (よむ, yomu) → 読まれる (よまれる, yomareru)

Ichidan Verbs

For ichidan verbs, also known as ru-verbs, the passive form is simpler to create. You replace the final “る” (ru) with “られる” (rareru).

For example:
– 食べる (たべる, taberu) → 食べられる (たべられる, taberareru)
– 見る (みる, miru) → 見られる (みられる, mirareru)

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs have unique passive forms:

– する (suru) → される (sareru)
– 来る (くる, kuru) → 来られる (こられる, korareru)

Different Types of Passive Sentences

Japanese passive sentences can be categorized into three main types: direct passive, indirect passive, and adversative passive.

Direct Passive

In a direct passive sentence, the subject is the recipient of the action. This type is quite similar to the English passive form. The structure is:

[Recipient] は [Doer] に [Verb in passive form].

For example:
– 猫は私に撫でられた (ねこはわたしになでられた, Neko wa watashi ni naderareta)
– The cat was petted by me.

Indirect Passive

Indirect passive sentences express actions that indirectly affect the subject. These sentences often imply a sense of inconvenience or negative impact. The structure is:

[Subject] は [Doer] に [Object] を [Verb in passive form].

For example:
– 私は友達にケーキを食べられた (わたしはともだちにケーキをたべられた, Watashi wa tomodachi ni kēki o taberareta)
– I had my cake eaten by my friend (implying inconvenience).

Adversative Passive

Adversative passive sentences express actions that have a negative impact on the subject. This type is unique to Japanese and often used to express feelings of displeasure or annoyance. The structure is:

[Subject] は [Doer] に [Verb in passive form].

For example:
– 私は雨に降られた (わたしはあめにふられた, Watashi wa ame ni furareta)
– I was caught in the rain (implying inconvenience).

Uses of the Passive Form

Understanding when and why to use the passive form in Japanese is crucial for effective communication. Here are some common uses:

Emphasizing the Action

Just like in English, the passive form in Japanese can be used to emphasize the action itself rather than the doer. This is particularly useful in formal writing or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.

For example:
– この建物は1980年に建てられた (このたてものは1980ねんにたてられた, Kono tatemono wa 1980-nen ni taterareta)
– This building was constructed in 1980.

Politeness and Formality

The passive form can add a layer of politeness and formality to your speech. It’s often used in business settings or when addressing someone of higher status.

For example:
– 先生に褒められました (せんせいにほめられました, Sensei ni homeraremashita)
– I was praised by the teacher.

Expressing Adversity or Inconvenience

As mentioned earlier, the adversative passive is unique to Japanese and is commonly used to express inconvenience or negative impact. This form allows the speaker to convey their emotions subtly.

For example:
– 私は彼に嘘をつかれた (わたしはかれにうそをつかれた, Watashi wa kare ni uso o tsukareta)
– I was lied to by him.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

While learning the passive form, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Confusing Passive with Potential

One common mistake is confusing the passive form with the potential form, as they can look similar, especially for ichidan verbs. Remember that the potential form expresses the ability to do something, while the passive form focuses on the action or its impact.

For example:
– 食べられる (taberareru) can mean “can eat” (potential) or “be eaten” (passive). Context will help you determine the meaning.

Overusing the Passive Form

While the passive form is useful, overusing it can make your sentences sound awkward or overly formal. Balance is key. Use the passive form when it adds value to your sentence, but don’t shy away from using the active voice when appropriate.

Incorrect Particle Usage

Using the wrong particles in passive sentences is another common mistake. For direct passive sentences, use “に” (ni) to indicate the doer. For indirect passive sentences, make sure to use “に” (ni) for the doer and “を” (o) for the object.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to master the passive form in Japanese is through consistent practice. Here are some exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Converting Sentences

Convert the following active sentences into passive sentences:

1. 彼が本を読んだ (かれがほんをよんだ, Kare ga hon o yonda)
2. 友達が私に手紙を送った (ともだちがわたしにてがみをおくった, Tomodachi ga watashi ni tegami o okutta)
3. 母がケーキを作った (ははがケーキをつくった, Haha ga kēki o tsukutta)

Exercise 2: Identifying Passive Forms

Identify the passive forms in the following sentences and explain their functions:

1. この映画は多くの人に見られました (このえいがはおおくのひとにみられました, Kono eiga wa ōku no hito ni miraremashita)
2. 私は雨に降られた (わたしはあめにふられた, Watashi wa ame ni furareta)
3. 先生に褒められました (せんせいにほめられました, Sensei ni homeraremashita)

Exercise 3: Creating Sentences

Create sentences using the passive form to describe the following situations:

1. Your car was repaired by a mechanic.
2. You were scolded by your boss.
3. The cake was eaten by your friend.

Conclusion

Understanding and using the passive form in Japanese is a crucial step in mastering the language. While it may seem complex at first, with consistent practice and attention to detail, you will find it becomes more intuitive. Remember to pay attention to the nuances of different types of passive sentences and use them appropriately to convey your intended meaning.

By incorporating the passive form into your Japanese language skills, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and understand the subtleties of the language better. Happy learning!