How to Use Passive and Causative-Passive Verbs Correctly in Japanese

Understanding passive (受け身, ukemi) and causative-passive (使役受け身, shieki ukemi) verbs is crucial for mastering Japanese grammar. These forms appear frequently in formal speech, storytelling, and polite expressions. Learning them will improve your ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in Japanese.

Let’s break down these grammar points step by step, explaining their structures, differences, and practical applications.

Use Passive and Causative-Passive Verbs 

Using passive and causative-passive verbs correctly in Japanese is essential for expressing complex ideas, especially in formal contexts like news, business, or academic writing. Passive forms (受動態) shift focus to the object receiving an action, while causative-passive forms express being made to do something unwillingly. Mastering their usage helps you better understand nuanced sentence structures and communicate more naturally and accurately in advanced Japanese.

Understanding Passive Verbs (受け身, ukemi)

Understanding passive verbs (受け身, ukemi) is crucial for reading and speaking formal Japanese. In passive constructions, the subject receives the action rather than performing it. For example, "犬にかまれた" means "I was bitten by a dog.".

What Are Passive Verbs?

Passive verbs describe situations where the subject receives an action instead of performing it. They often express inconvenience, impact, or an indirect experience.

For example, instead of saying "Someone stole my wallet", the passive form emphasizes the impact on the subject:
➡️ "My wallet was stolen" (saifu ga nusumareta).

Passive Verb Formation

✅ Ichidan Verbs (る-verbs)
 Rule: Drop 「る」 and add 「られる」

Dictionary Form	Passive Form	Meaning
食べる (taberu)	食べられる (taberareru)	to be eaten
見る (miru)	見られる (mirareru)	to be seen

📌 Example Sentence:
ケーキは友達に食べられた。(Keeki wa tomodachi ni taberareta.)
→ “The cake was eaten by my friend.”

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✅ Godan Verbs (う-verbs)
 Rule: Change the final う sound to its あ-row equivalent + 「れる」

Dictionary Form	Passive Form	Meaning
書く (kaku)	書かれる (kakareru)	to be written
話す (hanasu)	話される (hanasareru)	to be spoken
飲む (nomu)	飲まれる (nomareru)	to be drunk

📌 Example Sentence:
その本は多くの人に読まれている。(Sono hon wa ooku no hito ni yomarete iru.)
→ “That book is being read by many people.”

✅ Irregular Verbs

Dictionary Form	Passive Form	Meaning
する (suru)	される (saserareru)	to be done
来る (kuru)	来られる (korareru)	to be come

📌 Example Sentence:
私は先生に褒められた。(Watashi wa sensei ni homerareta.)
→ “I was praised by my teacher.”

When to Use Passive Verbs?

✔️ When something happens to the subject (neutral/passive meaning).
✔️ To express inconvenience or suffering (受け身の迷惑, ukemi no meiwaku).
✔️ Often used in news reports, storytelling, and formal writing.

   Understanding Causative-Passive Verbs (使役受け身, shieki ukemi)

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What Are Causative-Passive Verbs?

Causative-passive verbs describe situations where someone is made or forced to do something. This is often used to express obligation, coercion, or inconvenience.

For example:
➡️ "I was forced to work" (shigoto o saserareta).

This form is often used by students, employees, or people in hierarchical situations (e.g., "I was made to apologize by my boss").

Causative-Passive Verb Formation

✅ Ichidan Verbs (る-verbs)
 Rule: Drop 「る」 and add 「させられる」

Dictionary Form	Causative-Passive Form	Meaning
食べる (taberu)	食べさせられる (tabesaserareru)	to be forced to eat
見る (miru)	見させられる (misaserareru)	to be forced to see

📌 Example Sentence:
子供の頃、嫌いな野菜を食べさせられた。(Kodomo no koro, kirai na yasai o tabesaserareta.)
→ "When I was a child, I was forced to eat vegetables."

✅ Godan Verbs (う-verbs)
 Rule: Change the final う sound to its あ-row equivalent + 「せられる」
(However, in spoken Japanese, 「される」 is often used instead.)

Dictionary Form	Causative-Passive Form	Spoken Form	Meaning
行く (iku)	行かせられる (ikaserareru)	行かされる (ikasareru)	to be forced to go
書く (kaku)	書かせられる (kakaserareru)	-	to be forced to write

📌 Example Sentence:
彼は先生に勉強させられた。(Kare wa sensei ni benkyou saserareta.)
→ “He was made to study by the teacher.”

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✅ Irregular Verbs

Dictionary Form	Causative-Passive Form	Meaning
する (suru)	させられる (saserareru)	to be made to do
来る (kuru)	来させられる (kosaserareru)	to be made to come

📌 Example Sentence:
彼は無理やり仕事をさせられた。(Kare wa muriyari shigoto o saserareta.)
→ "He was forced to work against his will."

Differences Between Passive and Causative-Passive

Passive (受け身)	Causative-Passive (使役受け身)
The subject is affected by an action.	The subject is forced to perform an action.
Often expresses neutral situations or suffering.	Often expresses coercion, obligation, or inconvenience.
Example: 彼は友達に笑われた。(He was laughed at by his friends.)	Example: 彼は先生に勉強させられた。(He was made to study by the teacher.)

 When to Use Each Form?

✔ Use the Passive Form when:

• You want to describe an event that happened to someone.
   
• You want to emphasize the impact of an action. 

✔ Use the Causative-Passive Form when:

• Someone is forced to do something against their will.
   
• You want to express obligation or coercion.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering Japanese passive verbs (受け身, ukemi) and causative-passive verbs (使役受け身, shieki ukemi) is a key step toward fluency in Japanese grammar. These forms allow you to express experiences, obligations, and emotional nuances that go beyond basic sentence structures. Whether you’re reading formal texts, communicating in professional settings, or interpreting manga and anime, understanding how and when to use Japanese passive verbs will significantly enhance your comprehension and expression. With regular practice and exposure, you’ll gain confidence in using these essential forms naturally and effectively.

  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I tell the difference between passive and causative-passive verbs?

The passive form describes something happening to the subject.
The causative-passive form describes someone being forced to do something.

2. Are passive verbs commonly used in Japanese?

Yes! They are widely used in storytelling, news reports, and formal speech.

3. Is the causative-passive form commonly used in daily speech?

It is more common in formal or workplace situations where obligation or authority is involved.

4. What’s the best way to practice these forms?

✅ Write your own sentences.
✅ Read books, manga, or newspapers to see natural usage.
✅ Listen to Japanese speakers and try repeating phrases.

Mastering these verb forms will boost your Japanese fluency and help you sound more natural in conversations. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it in no time! 🚀