Verb［れる・られる］ (Was done to ~ by ~)

Was done to ~ by ~, Done without consent, Done to one's dismay

JLPT N4
Pattern

Verb (passive: ～れる / ～られる)

How it works

The passive shows that something is done to the subject. う-verbs change to the -a sound + れる (書かれる); る-verbs add られる (食べられる). The doer takes に. Japanese also uses it for unwelcome events: 雨にふられた (I got rained on).

Examples

  • 先生に ほめられました。I was praised by the teacher.
  • 電車で 足を ふまれました。Someone stepped on my foot on the train.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 1

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