1.
passive voice (grammar)
A grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action rather than the doer. In Japanese grammar, this is formed using the auxiliary verb -(ら)れる.
この文は受動態だ。
This sentence is in the passive voice.
日本語の受動態は英語より使い方が複雑だ。
The passive voice in Japanese is more complex in usage than in English.
能動態の文を受動態に書き換えなさい。
Rewrite the active voice sentence in the passive voice.
A grammar term composed of 受動 (passive) + 態 (voice/mood). Essential vocabulary for language study. Japanese has two types of passive: direct passive (直接受身) where the subject is the direct object of the active sentence, and indirect passive (間接受身, also called "suffering passive") where the subject is adversely affected by an action.
RELATED GRAMMAR TERMS:
- 能動態: active voice
- 使役態: causative voice
- 使役受動態: causative-passive voice
- 受け身: passive (native Japanese term, also common)
USAGE:
In linguistic and educational contexts, 受動態 is the Sino-Japanese term, while 受け身 is the native Japanese equivalent. Both are widely used, but 受け身 is more common in everyday Japanese language instruction.