# 受身形: passive form

> Learn how to use 受身形, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning passive form, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-ukemi-kei/

**受身形** means **passive form**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does **受身形** mean and when should you use it?

## What does 受身形 mean?

Use **受身形** when you want to express **passive form** in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:
- passive form
- to express “passive form” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context

## How to form 受身形

<div class="formation">
  <p>Passive verb form</p>
  <ul>
    <li>Passive verb form</li>
    <li>受身形</li>
    <li>related form: させられる</li>
  </ul>
</div>

## When is 受身形 used?

Use **受身形** in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages

Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples

## 受身形 example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">私は先生にほめられました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I was praised by the teacher.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">財布を盗まれました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">My wallet was stolen.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">この本は多くの人に読まれています。</div>
    <div class="example-en">This book is read by many people.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">弟にケーキを食べられました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">My cake was eaten by my younger brother.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">会議は明日開かれます。</div>
    <div class="example-en">The meeting will be held tomorrow.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of 受身形

The key nuance is **passive form in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because **受身形** often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

## 受身形 vs させられる

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head">受身形</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson; focuses on passive form</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">私は先生にほめられました。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I was praised by the teacher.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head">させられる</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Common mistakes with 受身形

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Identify the subject’s role and confirm the form matches the grammar point</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Confusing <strong>受身形</strong> with <strong>させられる</strong> because the English can sound similar</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body">Check whether the sentence describes passive action or causative force</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Is 受身形 on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N4</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p>Yes. <strong>受身形</strong> is connected to <strong>JLPT N4</strong> grammar in this blog.</p>
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <ul>
        <li>recognize it in reading</li>
        <li>understand its nuance in context</li>
        <li>use it in simple original sentences</li>
      </ul>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for 受身形

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write one short sentence using the basic structure.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for 受身形

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">1</div>
    <div class="step-body">Use <strong>受身形</strong> as part of your <strong>JLPT N4</strong> voice, causative, passive, and politeness grammar toolkit. Identify the subject’s role before choosing <strong>受身形</strong>: doer, receiver, person made to act, respected person, or humble speaker. Voice and politeness patterns are mostly about social direction, not just verb endings.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">2</div>
    <div class="step-body">Make one short sentence with <strong>受身形</strong>, then compare it with <a href="/blog/n4-itashimasu/">いたします</a>.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">3</div>
    <div class="step-body">Add <a href="/blog/n4-gozaimasu/">ございます</a> or <a href="/blog/n4-de-gozaimasu/">でございます</a> to see how the nuance changes.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">4</div>
    <div class="step-body">Write one sentence that uses <strong>受身形</strong> in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [いたします](/blog/n4-itashimasu/) — reviews how social roles, voice, and politeness change the verb.
- [ございます](/blog/n4-gozaimasu/) — reviews how social roles, voice, and politeness change the verb.
- [でございます](/blog/n4-de-gozaimasu/) — reviews how social roles, voice, and politeness change the verb.
- [させる](/blog/n4-saseru/) — reviews how social roles, voice, and politeness change the verb.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)

## Learn 受身形 with Hane

If you want to review **受身形** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)