GE11 · Passive: 〜られる

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GE01say what you can do
• GE02say who gives what to whom
• GE03say what happens if or when
• GE04say what something looks like
• GE05say something is done or happened by mistake
• GE06say what always happens when…
• GE07say something happens anyway
• GE08speak as among friends
• GE09say how things are left and prepare
• GE10say what happens if…

What you learn

〜に 〜られます

• にby (the doer, in the passive)

The passive tells what someone does to you, and the doer takes に: せんせいに よばれました (the teacher called me). -ru verbs look like the potential (たべられる); the others go to the a row + れる (よぶ → よばれる; う → わ: わらう → わらわれる). する → される, くる → こられる. It often expresses something unwelcome: あめに ふられました (I got caught in the rain).

• せんせいに よばれました。sensei ni yobaremashita.I was called by the teacher.
• ともだちに わらわれました。tomodachi ni warawaremashita.My friends laughed at me.
• あめに ふられました。ame ni furaremashita.I got caught in the rain.
• せんせいに しつもんを されました。sensei ni shitsumon o saremashita.I was asked a question by the teacher.
• ともだちに しゃしんを みられました。tomodachi ni shashin o miraremashita.My friends saw my photos (I didn't want them to).
• ぶちょうに よばれましたか。buchou ni yobaremashita ka.Were you called by the boss?

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.