Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Affected or adverse passive
Read passive sentences about everyday experiences.
Start with the example
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My little brother ate my cake on me.
Notice the variation
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A stranger stepped on my foot on the train.
More detail: how to apply this
Some passive sentences show that the subject was affected in an unpleasant or inconvenient way.
This is very common in spoken Japanese and simple narratives.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Use both participant roles and the stated reaction to distinguish a personal affected experience from a neutral report.
directly supplies embarrassment. This supports an affected reading rather than requiring the passive itself to mean every event is bad.
、。
My friend saw my photos, and I felt embarrassed.
Use both participant roles and the stated reaction to distinguish a personal affected experience from a neutral report.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
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My little brother ate my cake on me.
Vocabulary notes
- ケーキ
- cake
Compare in context
。
A stranger stepped on my foot on the train.
Vocabulary notes
- 電車
- train
Compare in context
、。
I was bitten by a dog and went to the hospital.
Vocabulary notes
- 病院
- hospital
- 行きました
- went
Section 2 of 4
Neutral event passive
Neutral event passive
Start with the example
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The new plan was explained in the meeting.
Notice the variation
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My name was called at the station.
More detail: how to apply this
Not all passive sentences are negative.
Event passives are common in meetings, notices, and reports when the action itself matters more than the actor.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
The new plan was explained in the meeting.
In this example, the message is: The new plan was explained in the meeting.
。
The new plan was explained in the meeting.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: The new plan was explained in the meeting.
Showing Neutral event passive: Everyday words.
Target signal
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The new plan was explained in the meeting.
Vocabulary notes
- 会議
- meeting
- 新しい
- new
Preview
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My name was called at the station.
Vocabulary notes
- 名前
- name
- が
- subject marker
Preview
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The graduation ceremony was held in the gym.
Vocabulary notes
- 体育館
- gymnasium
Section 3 of 4
Reading the speaker’s feeling
Use both participant roles and the stated reaction to distinguish a personal affected experience from a neutral report.
Reading the speaker’s feeling
、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
identifies the person affected; identifies the friend who sees the photos.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
To interpret a passive sentence correctly, ask whether the text is reporting an event neutrally or describing an experience that affected someone personally.
Vocabulary around the sentence usually makes the difference clear.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I was woken up early, so I am a little sleepy.
In this example, the message is: I was woken up early, so I am a little sleepy.
、。
I was woken up early, so I am a little sleepy.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I was woken up early, so I am a little sleepy.
Showing Reading the speaker’s feeling: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
、。
I was woken up early, so I am a little sleepy.
Vocabulary notes
- 朝早く
- early in the morning
- 少し
- a little
Preview
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That news was reported on TV.
Vocabulary notes
- その
- that
- テレビ
- TV; television
Preview
、。
My friend saw my photos, and I felt embarrassed.
Vocabulary notes
- 友だち
- friend
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
The indirect passive foregrounds being affected by rain;
it does not require a human agent.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
The indirect passive foregrounds being affected by rain; it does not require a human agent.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: It rained / the speaker was caught in rain and affected
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.