What does 受身形 mean in Japanese?

受身形 expresses 'passive (be done to)' in Japanese. It is a N4-level grammar pattern. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and is essential for natural-sounding Japanese.

What JLPT level is 受身形?

受身形 is classified as JLPT N4 grammar. You should study this pattern when preparing for the JLPT N4 exam.

受身形

passive (be done to)

N4passive-causative

受身形 expresses passive (be done to). Passive and causative forms in Japanese change who does the action and who is affected. These forms are more common in Japanese than in English and are essential for natural expression.

This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.

Structure

G1: う → あ-row + れる / G2: る → られる

する → される / くる → こられる

Formation#

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	Passive Form
Group 1	書く	書かれる
Group 1	読む	読まれる
Group 2	食べる	食べられる
する	する	される
くる	くる	こられる

Group 1: change final う-sound to あ-sound + れる. Group 2: add られる.

When to Use#

Action received from others: 先生に褒められた (I was praised by the teacher)
Inconvenience passive: 雨に降られた (I got rained on)
Impersonal/formal style: この本は多くの人に読まれている (This book is read by many)

When NOT to Use#

When the meaning is closer to "can ~ (potential)" — use 〜られる instead
In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

課長に叱られました。 — I was scolded by the manager.
上司に呼ばれました。 — I was called by my boss.
部長に褒められました。 — I was praised by the department head.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

N3career

I was scolded by the manager.

Neutral

課長(かちょう)に叱(しか)られました。

Casual

課長(かちょう)に叱(しか)られた。

Vocabulary

課長section manager叱るto scold

Grammar

passive formto be done to

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N4work

I was called by my boss.

Neutral

上司(じょうし)に呼(よ)ばれました。

Casual

上司(じょうし)に呼(よ)ばれた。

Vocabulary

上司boss呼ぶto call

Grammar

受身形passive form

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Common Mistakes#

Confusing 受身形 with 〜られる — While both are related, 受身形 expresses "passive (be done to)" whereas 〜られる expresses "can ~ (potential)." Pay attention to the specific nuance each pattern conveys.
Wrong verb group conjugation — Group 1 and Group 2 verbs conjugate differently. Common pitfall: treating Group 1 verbs ending in る (like 帰る) as Group 2 verbs.

Compare

	受身形passive (be done to)	〜られるcan ~ (potential)
Meaning	Is done to (receives action)	Can / is able to (ability)
Subject	Person affected by action	Person who has ability
Example	食べられる (is eaten)	食べられる (can eat)

Compare

	受身形passive (be done to)	使役形causative (make/let do)
Role	Subject receives the action	Subject makes/lets someone act
Control	No control (is affected)	Has control (directs others)
Example	叱られた (was scolded)	歩かせた (made walk)