JLPT N3 grammar

〜受身（れる・られる）meaning and usage

Meaning

A is done to the subject; the subject is affected by someone doing A (passive voice).

How to form it

  • godan verb (nai-form without ない)れる（書かれる）
  • ichidan verb stem (without る)られる（食べられる）
  • する → される/来る → 来られる
  • personにverb (passive form)

How it is used

Tells the event from the side of whoever receives the action; the doer is marked with 「に」. It also expresses being troubled by what someone or something else does, as in 「雨に降られた」 (got caught in the rain).

Examples

  1. この車は十年前に作られました。

    This car was made ten years ago.

  2. 弟に私のケーキを食べられた。

    My little brother went and ate my cake.

  3. このお祭りは毎年八月に行われます。

    This festival is held every August.