Processing keyword: ～られた (〜rareta)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～られた (〜rareta)

1. Introduction

In Japanese, the grammar point ～られた (〜rareta) is used to express the passive voice in the past tense. Mastery of the passive form is essential for conveying actions received by the subject, rather than performed by the subject. This structure allows speakers to emphasize the action or the receiver of the action, often omitting the doer.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～られた attaches to verbs to indicate that the subject was acted upon by someone or something else in the past. It translates to expressions like "was done," "was eaten," or "was seen" in English.

Formation

The passive past tense is formed differently for Godan (五段) verbs, Ichidan (一段) verbs, and Irregular verbs.

1. Godan Verbs (U-verbs)

For Godan verbs, follow these steps:

• Change the final -u vowel sound to the -a equivalent.
• Add れた to the altered stem. Formation Diagram:

  Verb Base	Convert Final Sound	Add れた	Passive Past Form
  書く	書か	れた	書かれた
  話す	話さ	れた	話された
  読む	読ま	れた	読まれた
  泳ぐ	泳が	れた	泳がれた
  買う	買わ	れた	買われた

2. Ichidan Verbs (RU-verbs)

For Ichidan verbs:

• Remove the final る.
• Add られた to the stem. Formation Diagram:

  Verb Base	Remove る	Add られた	Passive Past Form
  食べる	食べ	られた	食べられた
  見る	見	られた	見られた
  教える	教え	られた	教えられた

3. Irregular Verbs

• する becomes された.
• 来る (くる) becomes 来られた (こられた).

Usage

• Passive Voice: To indicate the subject was acted upon.
• Unknown or Unimportant Actor: When the performer of the action is unknown or omitted.
• Emphasis on the Action or Receiver: To focus on the experience or effect on the subject.

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3. Comparative Analysis

Passive vs. Active Voice

• Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
  • 先生が本を読んだ。
    • Sensei ga hon o yonda.
    • "The teacher read the book."
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
  • 本が先生に読まれた。
    • Hon ga sensei ni yomareta.
    • "The book was read by the teacher."

Potential Form Confusion

For Ichidan verbs, the potential form also uses ～られる (in past tense, ～られた), which can cause confusion.

• Passive Past: 食べられた - "was eaten"
• Potential Past: 食べられた - "was able to eat" Tip: Context determines the meaning. In casual speech, potential form may drop the ら to become 食べれた.

Similar Grammar Points

• ～れる/～られる (Passive Present): Indicates passive voice in the present tense.
• ～させられた (Causative Passive Past): Indicates being made to do something.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Written

1. 建物が昨年建設された。
   • Tatemono ga sakunen kensetsu sareta.
   • "The building was constructed last year."
2. 新しい法律が制定された。
   • Atarashii hōritsu ga seitei sareta.
   • "A new law was enacted."

Informal Spoken

1. 昨日、雨に降られた。
   • Kinō, ame ni furareta.
   • "I was caught in the rain yesterday."
2. 友達に嘘をつかれた。
   • Tomodachi ni uso o tsukareta.
   • "I was lied to by a friend."

Polite Conversation

1. お客様に褒められました。
   • Okyaku-sama ni homeraremashita.
   • "I was praised by the customer."
2. 部長に仕事を任されました。
   • Buchō ni shigoto o makasaremashita.
   • "I was entrusted with work by the department manager."

Written Narrative

1. その絵は有名な画家によって描かれた。
   • Sono e wa yūmei na gaka ni yotte egakareta.
   • "That painting was drawn by a famous artist."
2. 手紙は彼女によって書かれた。
   • Tegami wa kanojo ni yotte kakareta.
   • "The letter was written by her."

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5. Cultural Notes

Emphasis on Politeness and Indirectness

• Indirect Expression: Japanese often uses passive forms to express actions indirectly, which is considered more polite.
  • Example: ご注文は承りました。
    • Gochūmon wa uketamawarimashita.
    • "Your order has been received."

Expressing Inconvenience or Unpleasant Experiences

• Unwanted Actions: The passive form conveys that the subject was affected negatively.
  • Example: 財布を盗まれた。
    • Saifu o nusumareta.
    • "My wallet was stolen."

Honorific Passive

• Using passive forms to show respect, especially towards superiors.
  • Example: 社長が来られた。
    • Shachō ga korareta.
    • "The president has come."

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Mixing up Passive and Potential Forms
   • Error: 食べられた interpreted incorrectly.
   • Correction: Use context clues or rephrase to avoid confusion.
2. Incorrect Conjugation for Godan Verbs
   • Error: Using 終えれた instead of 終われた.
   • Correction: Remember to change the final -u sound to -a sound before adding れた.

Tips

• Mnemonic for Godan Verbs: "Change U to A + れた."
  • Example: 読む → 読ま + れた = 読まれた
• Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to determine if it's passive or potential.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～られた is used to express the passive past tense.
• Formation varies between Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular verbs.
• The passive form emphasizes the action or the receiver, often omitting the doer.
• Context helps distinguish between passive and potential meanings.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the passive past tense of the verb 話す (hanasu)?
   • Answer: 話された (hanasareta)
2. Translate to English: 彼は犬に吠えられた。
   • Answer: "He was barked at by a dog."
3. True or False: The passive form can be used to express politeness in honorific speech.
   • Answer: True

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By understanding ～られた, you enhance your ability to express passive actions, discuss experiences, and adhere to social norms in Japanese communication.

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