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  1. Japanese grammar
  2. JLPT N4 grammar
  3. 受身形

受身形ukemi-kei

Ukemi-kei (受身形) means “passive voice, receiver in focus”.

Use the passive 「受身形」 to focus on who or what receives an action; the agent can be marked with に or omitted.

In the courseBeginner 3›Travel Mishaps

How it works

  1. In the same event, the focus shifts from the staff member to the reservation. The passive form focuses on the receiver of the action.

    In the same event, the focus shifts from the staff member to the reservation. The passive form focuses on the receiver of the action.

  2. The passive form depends on the verb group. First check whether the verb belongs to Group 1, 2, or 3.

    The passive form depends on the verb group. First check whether the verb belongs to Group 1, 2, or 3.

  3. For Group 1 verbs, change the final kana to its あ-row equivalent, then add れる: 書く→書かれる.

    For Group 1 verbs, change the final kana to its あ-row equivalent, then add れる: 書く→書かれる.

  4. If a Group 1 verb ends in う, change it to わ: 言う→言われる. Do not change it to あ.

    If a Group 1 verb ends in う, change it to わ: 言う→言われる. Do not change it to あ.

  5. For Group 2 verbs, remove る and add られる: 食べる→食べられる.

    For Group 2 verbs, remove る and add られる: 食べる→食べられる.

  6. Memorize Group 3 separately: する→される; 来る→来られる, pronounced こられる.

    Memorize Group 3 separately: する→される; 来る→来られる, pronounced こられる.

  7. The passive form also has a polite form: される→されます. Its past form is されました.

    The passive form also has a polite form: される→されます. Its past form is されました.

  8. 「予約を」 in the active sentence becomes 「予約が」 in the passive sentence, marking the receiver of the action.

    「予約を」 in the active sentence becomes 「予約が」 in the passive sentence, marking the receiver of the action.

  9. A person can also be the focus of a passive sentence. は or が marks the receiver of the action, and に marks the person performing it. Adjust the particles when rewriting the sentenc

    A person can also be the focus of a passive sentence. は or が marks the receiver of the action, and に marks the person performing it. Adjust the particles when rewriting the sentence.

In a conversation

  • A
    シャトルバスしゃとるばすはわどこですか？か

    A: Where is the shuttle bus?

  • B
    シャトルバスしゃとるばすはわ運行うんこうを停止ていしされました。されました代替だいたいバス

Check yourself

  1. Level 0 · Conjugate

    Use 〜れる／られる to show receiving an action. 受身形

    学生は先生に（褒めるほめる）。

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  3. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  4. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    The shuttle bus service has been suspended.

  5. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    シャトルバスの運行が停止 。

    The shuttle bus was suspended from operating.

More grammar in this theme

  • 受身形passive voice, receiver in focus

More JLPT N4 grammar

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
  • The notice focuses on the bus arrangements. When it does not matter who made them, the person performing the action can be omitted.

    The notice focuses on the bus arrangements. When it does not matter who made them, the person performing the action can be omitted.

  • The passive does not always describe something bad. It also describes a bus being arranged; what matters is receiving the action.

    The passive does not always describe something bad. It also describes a bus being arranged; what matters is receiving the action.

  • The passive can also focus on the person affected. Keep を when their belongings are damaged. Some intransitive verbs can also express trouble caused to someone in the passive.

    The passive can also focus on the person affected. Keep を when their belongings are damaged. Some intransitive verbs can also express trouble caused to someone in the passive.

  • 「手配されています」 describes the state of having already been arranged. It does not simply mean that arrangements are in progress.

    「手配されています」 describes the state of having already been arranged. It does not simply mean that arrangements are in progress.

    • ばす
    が
    手配てはい
    され
    て
    います。います

    B: The shuttle bus has been suspended. An alternative bus has been arranged.

  • A
    そうですか。かいつ頃いつごろ再開さいかいされますか？か

    A: I see. When will it resume?

  • B
    30 さんじゅっ分後ぷんごに再開さいかいされる予定よていです。です

    B: It is scheduled to resume in 30 minutes.

    • A
      ホテルほてるの予約よやくを確認かくにんしたいのですが。が

      A: I'd like to check my hotel reservation.

    • B
      申し訳もうしわけございません。ございませんお客様おきゃくさまの部屋へやがキャンセルきゃんせるされていました。いました

      B: I'm sorry. Your room has been canceled.

    • A
      えっ、えっどうしてですか？か

      A: What? Why is that?

    • B
      システムしすてむのエラーえらーで部屋へやが二に重じゅう予約よやくされてしまったようです。ようです

      B: It seems the room was double-booked due to a system error.

    • A
      荷物にもつが届いとどいていないのですが。が

      A: My luggage hasn't arrived.

    • B
      空港くうこうで荷物にもつが紛失ふんしつされた可能性かのうせいがあります。あります手続きてつづきいたします。いたします

      B: Your luggage may have been lost at the airport. I'll process the paperwork.

    • A
      どのくらいかかりますか？か

      A: How long will it take?

    • B
      少なくすくなくとも とも2 日ふつかはわかかります。かかります

      B: It will take at least two days.

    More quizzesOpen this lesson’s quizzes in the course
    〜のにunexpected contrast, despite
    〜みたいですseems, based on clues
    〜ようですinference from clues
    〜ところですaction stage right now
    〜てきますgradual approach or appearance
    〜そうに〜appearance while doing something
    〜みたいですsimilarity-based comparison
    Next〜のに
    See all 138
    お〜ください／ご〜くださいformal polite instruction
    〜そうです（様態）looks about to happen
    〜ておきますleave in a state
    〜てしまいましたcompletely finished
    〜ようになりますbegin doing something habitually
    〜なくなりますstop doing or feeling
    〜たばかりですrecently completed action
    〜ながら〜while doing another action