1.
passivity, being passive
The state of receiving action rather than initiating it. Describes a passive or reactive attitude or stance.
受動的な態度を改める。
To change one's passive attitude.
受動喫煙は健康に害がある。
Passive smoking is harmful to health.
いつも受動的に指示を待つのではなく、自分から行動を起こすことが大切だ。
It is important to take initiative rather than always passively waiting for instructions.
2.
passive voice (grammar)
The grammatical voice in which the subject receives the action. Used as a grammatical term in Japanese language study.
受動態の文を作る。
To construct a sentence in the passive voice.
日本語の受動表現は英語とは使い方が違う。
Japanese passive expressions are used differently from English ones.
日本語では、迷惑の意味を込めて受動態を使うことが多く、英語の受動態とは性質が異なる。
In Japanese, the passive voice is often used to express being adversely affected, which differs in nature from the English passive.
USAGE:
The na-adjective form 受動的 (passive) is the most common form in everyday use. The compound 受動喫煙 (passive smoking / secondhand smoke) is very widely known.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 受動的: passive (na-adjective)
- 受動態: passive voice (grammar)
- 受動喫煙: passive smoking, secondhand smoke
- 受動的な姿勢: passive stance
SIMILAR WORDS:
The opposite is 能動 (active). 消極的 (negative, passive) also describes a passive attitude but emphasizes unwillingness or lack of enthusiasm, while 受動的 emphasizes simply receiving rather than initiating action.