Verb られる (〜rareru)

N4

Verb られる (〜rareru)

Verb rareru

Passive and Potential Forms

N4

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Explanation

The られる grammar point can be used to express passive voice or potential form for verbs. Passive voice indicates that the action is being done to the subject, while potential form expresses the ability or possibility to do an action.

Structure

Pattern
〜rareru
う-verb (passive)Replace the final う with われる
Examples: 泳ぐ -> 泳がれる
る-verb (passive & potential)Replace る with られる
Examples: 食べる -> 食べられる
Irregular verbsする → される, くる → こられる
Examples: する -> される

Examples

Example 1
彼は先生に褒められました。
Kare wa sensei ni homeraremashita.
He was praised by the teacher.
Breakdown
tokengloss
Note: Passive form of 褒める (to praise)
Example 2
彼は友達に笑われました。
Kare wa tomodachi ni warawaremashita.
He was laughed at by his friends.
Breakdown
tokengloss
Note: Passive form of 笑う (to laugh)
Example 3
映画は観られましたか？
Eiga wa miraremashita ka?
Were you able to watch the movie?
Breakdown
tokengloss
Note: Potential form of 見る (to see/watch)
Example 4
彼女はリーダーに選ばれました。
Kanojo wa riidaa ni erabaremashita.
She was chosen as the leader.
Breakdown
tokengloss
Note: Passive form of 選ぶ (to choose)

Related Grammar

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