JLPT N4 Grammar – The Complete Guide to Passive, Causative, and Causative-Passive Form①
Table of Contents
1. Passive, Causative, and Causative-Passive Form
2. Types of Passive Forms
3. ① Passive Form
4. ② Passive of Inanimate Subjects
5. ③ Possessor Passive
6. ④ Adversity Passive
7. Summary
8. Similer Articles
9. Comment
Q: I still can’t fully understand the passive form, causative form, and causative-passive form no matter how much I study.
A: The passive, causative, and causative-passive forms are some of the most complex grammar points for Japanese learners.
First, this article explains the various meanings of the passive form.
Types of Passive Forms
First, let’s look at the overall usage of each type.
| Type | Usage | Example Sentences |
| ① Passive Form | Indicates receiving an action from another person | 友達に呼ばれました。 I was called by a friend. 先生から注意されました。 I was scolded by my teacher. |
| ② Passive of Inanimate Subjects | Used when the subject is an object and the sentence describes a general or social fact | 試験は毎年12月に行われます。 The exam is held in December every year. オリンピックは４年ごとに開催されます。 The Olympics are held every four years. この曲は世界中で聞かれています。 This song is heard all over the world. |
| ③ Possessor Passive | Used when something belonging to the speaker (such as their body or belongings) is affected, or when receiving thanks or praise | 弟に足を踏まれました。 My foot was stepped on by my younger brother. 子供にタブレットを壊されました。 My tablet was broken by my child. 先生に字を褒められて、うれしかったです。 My teacher praised my writing, and I was happy. |
| ④ Adversity Passive | Used when the speaker did not act themselves but suffers damage or inconvenience due to another person’s action or an event | となりに高いビルを建てられて、日が入らなくなりました。 A tall building was built next door, blocking the sunlight. どろぼうに入られて、貴金属を盗まれました。 A thief broke in and stole my jewelry. |
① Passive Form
This indicates that the speaker is receiving an action from another person.
In Japanese, saying “友達はわたしを呼びました (My friend called me)” does not give the impression that the speaker is passively involved as the object of the action—it simply states a fact.
On the other hand, when saying “わたしは友達に呼ばれました (I was called by my friend)” using the passive form, the focus is placed on the speaker as the one who receives the action, turning it into a description of an experience or event.
When the one performing the action is a person, the particle “に” is used. When it’s a group or organization, such as a company or school, the particle “から” is used.
[Examples]
子供のころ、祖父母に育てられました。
When I was a child, I was raised by my grandparents.
虫歯ができて、母に病院に連れていかれました。
I got a cavity, so my mother took me to the hospital.
会社から、会社の近くでたばこを吸わないように注意されました。
At the company, I was warned not to smoke near the office.
② Passive of Inanimate Subjects
This form is used when the subject of an action (an object) is the focus of the sentence, and it describes something that is generally recognized or a social fact.
Unlike other passive forms, this usage does not include any emotional nuance on the part of the speaker.
When the person performing the action is unspecified, the particle “に” is used. When it is a specific person or an organization such as a company or school, the particle “によって” is used.
[Examples]
試験は朝10時から行われます。
The exam will be held at 10 a.m.
このアプリは若い人によく使われています。
This app is often used by young people.
この物語は多くの人に読まれています。
This story is read by many people.
この電気自動車は、日本の会社によって開発されたそうです。
This electric car was apparently developed by a Japanese company.
③ Possessor Passive
This form is mainly used to show when a part of the speaker’s body or a possession, such as clothes, bags, or glasses, suffers damage or inconvenience.
It can also be used for something that is not a physical object but is psychologically close to the speaker, such as “stories” or “conversations.” Additionally, it can be used when the speaker receives thanks or praise from someone.
For example, saying “誰かがわたしの足を踏みました (Someone stepped on my foot)” simply states the fact directly. However, saying “わたしは足を踏まれました (My foot was stepped on)” also conveys the speaker’s feeling of discomfort.
In other words, this passive form includes the speaker’s sense of discomfort or inconvenience.
[Examples]
電車でハイヒールを履いた人に、足を踏まれました。
On the train, someone wearing high heels stepped on my foot.
泥まみれで帰ってきた子供に、玄関を汚されました。
My child came home covered in mud and got the entranceway dirty.
どうも誰かに話を聞かれてしまったようです。
It seems that someone overheard my conversation.
職場の人に日本語を褒められて、とても嬉しかったです。
My Japanese was praised by someone at work, and I was very happy about it.
④ Adversity Passive
This form is used when the speaker, without doing anything themselves, suffers damage or feels inconvenience because of someone else’s action or an event.
[Examples]
テレビを見ていたのに、急に母に消されました。
I was watching TV, but my mother suddenly turned it off.
京都の町にごみを捨てられて、住民はとても困っているそうです。
It seems that the residents of Kyoto are very troubled because garbage has been dumped in their town.
隣の人に夜遅くまで音楽を流されて、寝られませんでした。
My neighbor played music late into the night, and I couldn’t sleep.
Summary
The Four Main Uses of the Passive Form
- ① Passive Form
Indicates that the speaker receives an action from another person.
In Japanese, the passive form is often used to describe experiences or events with the speaker as the focus of the action. - ② Passive of Inanimate Subjects
Used when the subject is an object (not a person) and the sentence describes a general fact or social reality.
It does not convey any emotional nuance. - ③ Possessor Passive
Used when the speaker’s body part or possession (like clothes, bags, or glasses) experiences damage or inconvenience, or when the speaker receives a compliment.
This passive form can also include the speaker’s sense of discomfort, which is conveyed to the listener as well. - ④ Adversity Passive
Used when the speaker, without doing anything, experiences damage or inconvenience caused by someone else’s action or an event.
Similer Articles
- JLPT N2・N4 Grammar – The difference between ”〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”
- JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – The difference between “聞けない” and “聞こえない”
- JLPT N4・N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜けど” and “〜のに”
- JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – The difference between “〜ように” and “〜通りに”
- JLPT N4 Vocabulary – The difference between “何でも” and “何も”
▼ Subscribe to Our Newsletter ▼
Receive free tips for learning Japanese!
