Passive Form: Irregular Verbs

In English, we use "to be" plus a past participle. In Japanese, we change the verb ending itself. The passive form shifts the focus of the sentence. Instead of focusing on who did the action, we focus on the receiver. For irregular verbs, the change is a bit sudden. You aren't just adding a suffix; you are transforming the core. This form is used for three main reasons. First, to describe an action when the doer is unknown. Second, to show you were affected by someone else's action. This is often called the "suffering passive." Third, it is used in very polite, formal Japanese. It is like a grammar Swiss Army knife. It has a tool for every situation.

1. 1Learning these is mostly about memorization. There are only two main irregular verbs to worry about.
2. 2For the verb suru (to do), change it to sareru.
3. 3For compound verbs like benkyou suru (to study), change them to benkyou sareru.
4. 4For the verb kuru (to come), change it to korareru.
5. 5Wait, did you notice that? The vowel in kuru changes from 'u' to 'o'. It becomes ko-rareru. This is a classic trap for many people. If you say kurareru, native speakers will still understand you. However, it will sound a bit like wearing socks with sandals. It works, but it feels slightly off. Stick to korareru to stay sharp.

Use the passive form when you want to sound professional. In a job interview, you might say your skills were "utilized." You would use riyou sareru for this. Use it when someone does something that bothers you. This is a very Japanese way of expressing annoyance. For example, if a friend comes over uninvited, you might use korareru. It implies their coming caused you a bit of a headache. Use it in news reports or history books. "The temple was built" uses the passive taterareru. It is also great for avoiding blame. Instead of saying "I lost the keys," you might imply the keys "were lost." It is a handy trick for staying out of trouble.

Don't use the passive for every sentence. In English, we use it often, but Japanese prefers active verbs. If you use it too much, you will sound like a robot. Or worse, a very boring textbook. Avoid using the "suffering passive" for good things. If your mom buys you a cake, don't use the passive. It would sound like the cake was a burden. Use the te-kureru form for favors instead. Also, be careful with korareru. It is identical to the potential form "can come." Context is your best friend here. If you are at a party, korareru usually means "can come." If you are crying because guests arrived during your nap, it's passive.

Mixing up korareru and kurareru is the most common error. Remember: kuru becomes ko. Think of it like a stop sign. You have to stop and change the vowel. Another mistake is using the wrong particle. In passive sentences, the doer is marked by ni. Many people accidentally use wo or ga. If you say tomodachi wo korareta, it sounds very strange. Use tomodachi ni korareta. Also, don't forget that sareru applies to all suru verbs. This includes kekkon suru (to marry) or shitsumon suru (to question). Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired. Don't sweat it too much, but try to be consistent.

Compare the passive sareru with the causative saseru. Sareru means something was done to you. Saseru means you made someone else do it. They sound similar, so listen closely. Also, compare korareru (passive) with korareru (potential). They look exactly the same. How do you tell them apart? Look at the particles and the vibe of the sentence. If the subject is complaining, it is likely passive. If they are talking about possibilities, it is potential. It is like a grammar traffic light. You have to look both ways before you decide which meaning to take.