〜られる（受身）

Meaning

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

Formation

1. Group 1: the -i syllable shifts to the -a row plus れる: 呼びます → 呼ばれる
2. Group 2: ます → られる: ほめます → ほめられる
3. Group 3: される, 来られる (korareru)
4. The agent takes に: 先生にほめられました

When to use it

Core use

The passive form

Important notes

• Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.

Common mistakes

• Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.

Similar grammar