PREFACE: This is a nine part series of some important things to keep in mind while studying Japanese
PREFACE: This is a nine part series of some important things to keep in mind while studying Japanese grammar. It’s very different from English, so try not to study it through an “English lens.” To understand grammar points better, it’s really beneficial to learn the characteristics behind Japanese grammar. These notes are taken from A Dictionary of Japanese Grammar. To see the other parts, click here.5. PassiveThe Japanese concept of passive contains two elements: an event and a person or thing which is affected by that event. The passive is used when the event is not under the control of those affected by it. For example, when someone smokes and someone is affected by it, the person being affected has no control over the person smoking.The most common way to express passivity is to use the passive form of verbs (~られる). Example: スーさんはけんさんにたばこをすわれた。Sue had cigarette smoked by Ken on her.There are two types of passives: direct and indirect. Direct passive is used when the event affects someone directly, as in the action or event was intended for the person.Example:先生はジョンに質問をされた。せんせいは ジョンに しつもんを された。The teacher got asked a question by John.Indirect passive is used when an event happens and it affects someone, but the person is not the direct receiver of the action. In indirect passive sentences, the thing being affected is usually human. The agent of the event is usually animate, and the action is usually volitional (decisive), though there are some exceptions. Example:私は弟にケーキを食べられた。わたしは おとうとに ケーキを たべられた。I got my cake eaten by my little brother (implied as negative).When passive sentences are used, the sentence is about the person or thing being affected by the event. When the thing being affected is human, the sentence takes the viewpoint of that person rather than the person actually causing the event. -- source link
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