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The passive is very
tricky, so I wanted to put my ideas on the web for all
the world to realize how little I know about Japanese!
Let's have a look at a small part of the passive voice:
For simplicity, I am
breaking this down into 3 parts.
1) ~せる ~seru・ ~させる ~saseru
2) ~れる ~reru・ ~られる ~rareru
3) ~される ~sareru・ ~させられる ~saserareru
In order to correctly add the verb
endings, you must get a feel for how the different
types of verbs think. There are 3
types of verbs. If you memorize many complex rules,
you can easily figure out the correct ending. But I
basically ignore the rules and try to use the verbs in
real life. (you can tell I never took a college
class in Japanese) What I mean is, try to get a feel
for the verbs subconsciously. Learn how the different
types of verbs think. I believe this to be a
more natural method, as well as fun. So for now memorize
some examples and, go ahead, plug in some new
words! Even if you fail, you will learn!
1) ~せる ~seru・ ~させる ~saseru
MEANINGS: To cause (make,
let) someone (or something)
to do something
The one causing the action は the one
being made / allowed to do the action に, を
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- Verbs like はなす (to speak), のむ (to drink), and まつ (to wait) use せる
- Verbs like たべる (to eat), しめる
(to close) and あける
(to open) use させる
- (わたしは) あかちゃんに たべさせました。
I let / made the baby eat. (I fed the baby.)
NOTE: 'I'
is usually left out in speech.
- 魔女(まじょ) は 白雪姫(しらゆきひめ)に りんご を たべさせました。
The witch made Snow White eat the apple.
2) ~れる ~reru・ ~られる ~rareru
MEANINGS: An action
that can not be
controlled. To be ~ed
the receiver of the action は The doer /
cause of the action に
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This form is closest
to the English passive. Like in English it is used
when shifting blame, when the actor is unknown, when
expressing dislike for how things turned out, or when you
have no control over things.
- Verbs like はなす (to speak), のむ (to drink), and まつ (to wait) use れる
- Verbs like たべる (to eat), しめる
(to close) and あける
(to open) use られる
- 東京は ゴジラに
こわされました。
Tokyo was damaged by Godzilla. (Tokyo
had no control over Godzilla)
- だれかに ケーキを たべられました。
The cake was eaten by someone. (unfortunately it was beyond my
control)
3) ~される ~sareru・ ~させられる~saserareru
MEANINGS: to be made to do something (usually
against one's will)
The one being made
to do the action は the one
causing the action に
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This form is used
when someone or something is made to do
something. Unlike せる / させる
it cannot express 'to be
allowed,' only 'to be made to do...'
- Verbs like はなす (to speak), のむ (to drink), and まつ (to wait) use される
- Verbs like たべる (to eat), しめる
(to close) and あける
(to open) use させられる
- わたしは ちちに なっとう を たべさせられました。
I was forced to eat natto by my father.
COMPARE: ちちは わたしに なっとう
を たべさせました。 = My father made / let me eat natto.
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