〜られる（受身） — The passive form | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

The passive form shows that an action is directed toward the speaker or another target.

Formation

Group 1: the -i syllable shifts to the -a row plus れる: 呼びます → 呼ばれる; verbs ending in う take わ: 買います → 買われる
Group 2: ます → られる: ほめます → ほめられる
Group 3: される, 来られる (korareru)
The agent takes に: 先生にほめられました

When to use it

Core use: The passive form

Examples

25 sentences

私わたしは先生せんせいにほめられました
I was praised by the teacher.
私わたしは友だちともだちに写真しゃしんを撮らとられました
I was photographed by my friend.
兄あには犬いぬに手てをなめられました
My older brother had his hand licked by a dog.
私わたしは電車でんしゃの中なかで足あしを踏まふまれました
My foot was stepped on in the train.
楽しみたのしみにしていたケーキを弟おとうとに食べたべられました
My younger brother ate the cake I had been looking forward to.
発表はっぴょうの前まえに名前なまえを間違えまちがえられてちょっとがっかりしました
Before the presentation my name was mistaken, and I felt a little disappointed.
この建物たてものは百年前ひゃくねんまえに建てたてられました
This building was built one hundred years ago.
雨あめのため試合しあいは中止ちゅうしされました
The match was canceled because of the rain.

17 more examples

この小説しょうせつは世界中せかいじゅうで読まよまれています
This novel is read all over the world.
面接めんせつで家族かぞくについて聞かきかれました
I was asked about my family in the interview.
この小説しょうせつは夏目漱石なつめそうせきによって書かかかれました
This novel was written by Natsume Soseki.
電話でんわはベルによって発明はつめいされました
The telephone was invented by Bell.
ワインはぶどうから作らつくられます
Wine is made from grapes.
このいすは木きで作らつくられています
This chair is made of wood.
紙かみは木きから作らつくられます
Paper is made from wood.
帰り道かえりみちで雨あめに降らふられました
I got caught in the rain on my way home.
待っまっていたのに友達ともだちに先さきに帰らかえられました
I was waiting, but my friend went home without me.
私わたしは名前なまえを呼ばよばれました
I was called by name.
妹いもうとは犬いぬにかまれました
My younger sister was bitten by a dog.
財布さいふを盗まぬすまれて困りこまりました
My wallet was stolen and I was in trouble.
母ははに日記にっきを読まよまれました
My mother went and read my diary.
来月らいげつこの町まちで祭りまつりが行わおこなわれます
A festival will be held in this town next month.
私わたしは急きゅうに質問しつもんされて驚きおどろきました
I was surprised when I was suddenly asked a question.
友達ともだちに秘密ひみつを話さはなされてしまいました
My friend went and revealed my secret.
会議かいぎの時間じかんが変えかえられました
The meeting time was changed.

Important notes

The passive presents an event from the affected person's perspective.

Common mistakes

With group 2 verbs, られる can also be potential or honorific; determine the meaning from participants and context.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: この小説しょうせつは世界中せかいじゅうで読まよまれています This novel is read all over the world.It is okay to use a computer in this room.I must submit this report by today.
Sentence 2: 待っまっていたのに友達ともだちに先さきに帰らかえられました It is okay to eat first.I was waiting, but my friend went home without me.I have to listen to my friend's story.
Sentence 3: 会議かいぎの時間じかんが変えかえられました It is okay to sit here.I must practice kanji every day.The meeting time was changed.

Similar grammar

Hear it in podcasts

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