평가되다

§ Understanding the Passive Voice

Many learners, especially those whose native language doesn't use the passive voice as frequently as Korean, might struggle with words like 평가되다. The core meaning of 평가되다 is 'to be evaluated' or 'to be assessed'. It's crucial to remember that the subject of the sentence is the one being evaluated, not the one doing the evaluating.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing with 평가하다 (pyeonggahada)

The most common mistake is using 평가되다 when you should use 평가하다. 평가하다 is the active form, meaning 'to evaluate' or 'to assess'. If someone is doing the evaluating, you need 평가하다. If something is receiving the evaluation, you need 평가되다.

Wrong usage:

저는 그 영화를 평가되었습니다. (I was evaluated the movie.)

This sentence structure doesn't make sense because 'I' am not being evaluated; 'I' am doing the evaluating. The correct way to say this would be:

Correct usage:

그 영화는 높이 평가되었습니다. (That movie was highly evaluated/assessed.)

Here, the movie is the subject and it is receiving the evaluation, so 평가되다 is correct.

§ Mistake 2: Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement

Because 평가되다 is a passive verb, the grammatical subject of the sentence should be the item or person that is being evaluated. Sometimes learners mistakenly make the 'evaluator' the subject with 평가되다.

Wrong usage:

선생님이 학생들을 평가되었습니다. (The teacher was evaluated the students.)

In this case, the teacher is doing the evaluating, not being evaluated by the students (unless the sentence structure implies that, which is less common in this context). The correct sentence would be:

If you want to say the students were evaluated by the teacher:

§ Mistake 3: Overuse or Unnecessary Passive Voice

While important, the passive voice isn't always necessary. Sometimes, an active sentence is more direct and natural. Don't force the use of 평가되다 if an active construction with 평가하다 is clearer and more appropriate for the context.

Less natural:

그 계획은 사람들이 의해 평가되었습니다. (That plan was evaluated by people.)

While grammatically correct, it's often more common to say:

§ Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to master 평가되다 is through consistent practice and exposure to native Korean speakers and materials. Pay attention to how and when this word is used. Try to form your own sentences, consciously deciding whether the subject is performing an action (active) or having an action performed upon it (passive).

• Read Korean news articles and identify instances of 평가되다. Who or what is being evaluated?

• Listen to Korean podcasts or dramas and listen for the nuances of when the passive form is chosen over the active form.

• Practice converting active sentences using 평가하다 into passive sentences using 평가되다, and vice-versa. This will help solidify your understanding of the grammatical shift.

§ Understanding 평가되다

The Korean verb 평가되다 (pyeong-ga-doe-da) means 'to be evaluated,' 'to be assessed,' or 'to be appraised.' It's a passive form of 평가하다 (pyeong-ga-ha-da), which means 'to evaluate' or 'to assess.' This verb is commonly used when something or someone is subjected to a judgment regarding its quality, worth, performance, or overall value.

You'll find 평가되다 in many contexts, from academic settings to business environments, and even in daily conversations when discussing how things are perceived or judged. It emphasizes that the evaluation is happening to the subject, rather than the subject performing the evaluation.

DEFINITION

To be evaluated or assessed for quality or value.

§ Examples of 평가되다 in Sentences

His work (was) highly evaluated.

The new policy (is being) positively evaluated.

A student's academic achievement (will be) evaluated based on exam results.

How (is) this product being evaluated in the market?

§ Similar Words and When to Use 평가되다

Let's look at some other words that are similar to 평가되다 and understand when to choose one over the others. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more natural in Korean.

• 평가하다 (pyeong-ga-ha-da): To evaluate, to assess.

  This is the active form. Use 평가하다 when the subject is actively doing the evaluating. For example, '나는 그의 능력을 평가했다.' (I evaluated his abilities.) Here, 'I' am the one doing the evaluating.

• 판단되다 (pan-dan-doe-da): To be judged, to be determined.

  판단되다 is similar to 평가되다 in that it's also a passive form. However, 판단되다 often implies a more definitive or decisive judgment, often related to right/wrong, truth/falsehood, or a final decision. While 평가되다 focuses on the assessment of value or quality, 판단되다 leans towards reaching a conclusion or making a decision based on available information.

  그의 말이 사실로 판단되었다.

  His words (were) judged to be true.

• 인정받다 (in-jeong-bat-da): To be recognized, to be acknowledged.

  인정받다 is used when someone or something receives recognition or acknowledgment for their achievements, skills, or existence. It often carries a positive connotation, implying that the evaluation has resulted in acceptance or approval.

  그의 노력은 결국 인정받았다.

  His efforts (were) finally recognized.

• 검토되다 (geom-to-doe-da): To be reviewed, to be examined.

  검토되다 means 'to be reviewed' or 'to be examined.' It implies a careful inspection or consideration of something, often a document, plan, or proposal, to check for errors, make improvements, or ensure compliance. While it involves a form of assessment, the focus is more on scrutiny and revision rather than a final judgment of value.

  제안서는 현재 검토되고 있습니다.

  The proposal (is currently being) reviewed.

When to use 평가되다:

Use 평가되다 specifically when you want to convey that something or someone is undergoing an assessment to determine its quality, performance, or overall worth. It's a neutral term and can be used in both positive and negative contexts of evaluation.