Japanese Passive: Irregular Verbs (Suru & Kuru)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Unlike regular verbs, 'suru' and 'kuru' have unique passive forms: 'sareru' and 'korareru'.
- Suru (to do) becomes sareru (to be done). Example: {勉強|べんきょう}される.
- Kuru (to come) becomes korareru (to be come/to have someone come). Example: {友達|ともだち}が{来|こ}られる.
- These forms follow the same conjugation rules as Ichidan verbs once formed.
Overview
Japanese verbs suru (する) and kuru (くる) are unique for their highly irregular conjugations, especially in the passive voice. While most verbs follow predictable patterns for passive formation (U-verbs adding -areru and Ru-verbs adding -rareru), suru and kuru undergo complete transformations. Mastering their passive forms – sareru (される) and korareru (こられる) respectively – is crucial for B1 learners to articulate nuances of affectedness, politeness, and even complaint that are central to natural Japanese communication.
Unlike the often objective English passive, the Japanese passive frequently carries a strong sense of affectedness by the subject. This means the speaker, or the subject of the sentence, experiences the action, often with an implied emotional impact – be it negative (annoyance, suffering) or positive (honorific respect). Understanding this inherent subjectivity is key to using sareru and korareru appropriately.
These irregular passive forms are not just grammatical quirks; they are deeply ingrained in everyday speech. From politely asking if a senior person will attend an event to expressing frustration over an unexpected visitor, sareru and korareru allow for concise and culturally appropriate expression. Their frequent use, especially sareru in compound verbs, makes them indispensable for both comprehension and production at the intermediate level.
Conjugation Table
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Plain Passive Form | Polite Passive Form | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :-------- | :-------------- | :----------------- | :------------------ | |||||
| Irregular | {する | suru} | {される | sareru} | {されます | saremasu} | ||
| Irregular | {くる | kuru} | {こられる | korareru} | {こられます | koraremasu} | ||
For suru verbs, the stem changes from su to sa, followed by the passive ending -reru. For kuru, the stem ku changes to ko, followed by -rareru. While the base forms are sareru and korareru, remember that these will conjugate further for tense and negative forms, just like regular Ru-verbs. For example, the past tense of sareru is sareta ({された |
sareta}), and the negative is sarenai ({されない |
sarenai}). |
How This Grammar Works
sareru and korareru, serves primarily to indicate that the subject received or experienced an action, often from an external agent. This 'affectedness' is the fundamental principle. It's less about the action itself and more about the impact on the subject.sareru or korareru, you are typically highlighting the subject's role as the recipient of an action. This can lead to various nuances depending on the context:- Unwanted or Annoying Actions (迷惑の受身): This is a prominent use, particularly with
korareru. The subject feels inconvenienced or burdened by the action. For example, if a friend unexpectedly comes over and disrupts your work, you might say友達に急に来られた({ともだちにきゅうにこられた}|tomodachi ni kyuu ni korareta), implying annoyance.
- Neutral or Factual Statements (直接受身): Especially with
sareruverbs and inanimate objects, the passive can be used neutrally to describe something that happened. For instance,新しいビルが建設された({あたらしいビルがけんせつされた}|atarashii biru ga kensetsu sareta) – "A new building was constructed." Here, there's no strong emotional nuance, just a factual report.
- Honorific Expression (尊敬の受身): Both
sareruandkorarerucan function as respectful ways to refer to a superior's actions. By using the passive, you create a slight distance between the superior and their action, which implies deference. For example,先生が来られます({せんせいがこられます}|sensei ga koraremasu) – "The teacher is coming" (very polite).
に ({ni}). If the agent is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately omitted, に is not used. For example, 私の財布が盗まれた ({わたしのさいふがぬすまれた}|watashi no saifu ga nusumareta) – "My wallet was stolen" (the thief is unknown or irrelevant).Formation Pattern
suru and kuru is fundamentally irregular, meaning you cannot derive them by applying standard rules. You must treat them as unique conjugations.
suru (する) and its compounds:
suru transforms to sareru (される) in its plain passive form. The polite passive is saremasu (されます).
~suru, which form a vast category of Japanese verbs. The noun preceding suru remains unchanged, and only suru itself conjugates.
運転する ({うんてんする}|unten suru) (to drive) → 運転される ({うんてんされる}|unten sareru) (to be driven)
招待する ({しょうたいする}|shoutai suru) (to invite) → 招待される ({しょうたいされる}|shoutai sareru) (to be invited)
説明する ({せつめいする}|setsumei suru) (to explain) → 説明される ({せつめいされる}|setsumei sareru) (to be explained)
kuru (くる):
kuru transforms to korareru (こられる) in its plain passive form. The polite passive is koraremasu ({こられます}|koraremasu}).
kuru in the same way as suru, so this conjugation applies directly to the verb kuru itself. The irregularity stems from the change of くる to こられる, which does not fit the pattern for either Godan or Ichidan verbs. This form, korareru, is particularly notorious for its homophony with the potential form of kuru, korareru ({こられる}|korareru), which means "can come." This ambiguity necessitates careful attention to context.
sareru or korareru are formed, they behave like regular Ru-verbs (Ichidan verbs) for all subsequent conjugations (e.g., negative, past, te-form, volitional). For instance, the te-form of sareru is sarete ({されて}|sarete), and the past negative is sarenakatta ({されなかった}|sarenakatta).
When To Use It
sareru and korareru goes beyond mere grammatical correctness; it delves into the cultural and emotional undercurrents of Japanese communication. These passive forms are utilized in three primary scenarios, each with distinct implications.に ({ni}).友達に急に来られて、勉強できなかった。({ともだちにきゅうにこられてべんきょうできなかった}|Tomodachi ni kyuu ni korarete, benkyou dekinakatta.)- "My friend unexpectedly came, and I couldn't study." (Implies annoyance/disruption from the friend's arrival.)
残業をさせられて、終電を逃した。({ざんぎょうをさせられてしゅうでんをのがした}|Zangyou o saserarete, shuuden o nogashita.)- "I was made to work overtime and missed the last train." (Implies being forced into overtime, with negative consequence.)
朝早くから子供に騒がされて、起こされた。({あさはやくからこどもにさわがされておこされた}|Asa hayaku kara kodomo ni sawagasarete, okosareta.)- "I was woken up by my children making noise early in the morning." (Implies being annoyed by the noise.)
新しいルールが発表された。({あたらしいルールがはっぴょうされた}|Atarashii ruuru ga happyou sareta.)- "A new rule was announced." (Factual statement, agent unspecified or unimportant.)
この本は多くの人に読まれている。({このほんはおおくのひとによまれている}|Kono hon wa ooku no hito ni yomarete iru.)- "This book is read by many people." (Describes a state resulting from an action.)
SNSで誤った情報が拡散された。({エスエヌエスで誤ったじょうほうがかくさんされた}|SNS de ayamatta jouhou ga kakusan sareta.)- "Incorrect information was spread on social media." (Neutral reporting of an event.)
sareru and korareru can also elevate the subject, making the statement more respectful. This is a lighter form of honorific language (敬語 keigo) that creates distance between the speaker and the esteemed person's actions. It implies that the action is performed by the esteemed person, but the passive form adds politeness.社長はもう帰られましたか。({しゃちょうはもうかえられましたか}|Shachou wa mou kaeraremashita ka.)- "Has the president already returned (home)?" (Polite inquiry about a superior's action.)
先生は明日の会議に来られます。({せんせいはあすのかいぎにこられます}|Sensei wa asu no kaigi ni koraremasu.)- "The teacher will be coming to tomorrow's meeting." (Respectful statement about a teacher's attendance.)
お客様にご説明されます。({おきゃくさまにごせつめいされます}|Okyakusama ni go-setsumei saremasu.)- "(He/she) will explain it to the customer." (Respectful reference to someone explaining to a customer.)
Common Mistakes
suru and kuru, primarily due to homophony or subtle semantic distinctions.korareru (Passive) and korareru (Potential):kuru (くる) and its potential form (Passive Conjugation of Irregular Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Passive (Dict) | Passive (Polite) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Suru
|
To do
|
Sareru
|
Saremasu
|
|
Kuru
|
To come
|
Korareru
|
Koraremasu
|
|
Benkyou-suru
|
To study
|
Benkyou-sareru
|
Benkyou-saremasu
|
|
Denwa-suru
|
To call
|
Denwa-sareru
|
Denwa-saremasu
|
|
Motte-kuru
|
To bring
|
Motte-korareru
|
Motte-koraremasu
|
|
Tsurete-kuru
|
To bring (person)
|
Tsurete-korareru
|
Tsurete-koraremasu
|
Causative-Passive Forms
| Verb | Causative-Passive |
|---|---|
|
Suru
|
Saserareru
|
|
Kuru
|
Kosareru (rare)
|
Meanings
The passive voice indicates that the subject is the recipient of an action. For irregular verbs, this requires specific, non-standard stems.
Direct Passive
The subject is directly affected by the action.
“{仕事|しごと}が{急|きゅう}に{変更|へんこう}された。”
“{彼|かれ}に{家|いえ}に{来|こ}られた。”
Indirect/Suffering Passive
The subject is bothered by someone else's action.
“{隣|となり}の{人|ひと}に{騒|さわ}がれた。”
“{弟|おとうと}に{部屋|へや}に{来|こ}られた。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + sareru/korareru
|
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされた
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + sarenai/korarenai
|
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされない
|
|
Past
|
Stem + sareta/korareta
|
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされた
|
|
Polite
|
Stem + saremasu/koraremasu
|
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされます
|
|
Causative-Passive
|
Stem + saserareru
|
{勉強|べんきょう}させられた
|
|
Question
|
Stem + sareru/korareru + ka
|
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされたか？
|
Formality Spectrum
{仕事|しごと}をさせられました。 (Workplace)
{仕事|しごと}をさせられた。 (Workplace)
{仕事|しごと}をさせられたよ。 (Workplace)
{仕事|しごと}させられたわ。 (Workplace)
Passive Voice Logic
Irregular
- Suru Do
- Kuru Come
Passive
- Sareru Be done
- Korareru Be come
Examples by Level
{宿題|しゅくだい}がされた。
The homework was done.
{彼|かれ}が{来|こ}られた。
He came (and it was annoying).
{勉強|べんきょう}がされた。
Studying was done.
{人|ひと}が{来|こ}られた。
Someone came (and it was annoying).
{先生|せんせい}に{勉強|べんきょう}させられた。
I was made to study by the teacher.
{友達|ともだち}に{家|いえ}に{来|こ}られた。
My friend came over (uninvited).
{仕事|しごと}をさせられた。
I was made to do work.
{急|きゅう}に{来|こ}られた。
They came suddenly (and it was a bother).
{会議|かいぎ}で{意見|いけん}を{言|い}わされた。
I was forced to give my opinion at the meeting.
{夜中|よなか}に{電話|でんわ}をかけられた。
I had a call made to me in the middle of the night.
{雨|あめ}の{中|なか}を{歩|ある}かされた。
I was made to walk in the rain.
{隣|となり}の{人|ひと}に{騒|さわ}がれた。
I was bothered by the neighbor making noise.
{無理|むり}な{要求|ようきゅう}をさせられた。
I was made to fulfill unreasonable demands.
{突然|とつぜん}の{訪問|ほうもん}に{困|こま}らされた。
I was troubled by the sudden visit.
{彼|かれ}の{態度|たいど}に{腹|はら}を{立|た}てさせられた。
I was made to get angry by his attitude.
{準備|じゅんび}を{急|いそ}がされた。
I was rushed to finish the preparations.
{歴史|れきし}の{中|なか}で{多|おお}くの{犠牲|ぎせい}が{強|し|い}られた。
Many sacrifices were forced throughout history.
{沈黙|ちんもく}を{守|まも}らされた。
I was forced to keep silent.
{彼|かれ}の{行動|こうどう}には{驚|おどろ}かされた。
I was surprised by his actions.
{運命|うんめい}に{翻弄|ほんろう}させられた。
I was tossed about by fate.
{権力|けんりょく}に{屈|くっ}させられた{過去|かこ}がある。
I have a past of being forced to submit to power.
{彼|かれ}の{言葉|ことば}に{感銘|かんめい}を{受|う}けさせられた。
I was made to be impressed by his words.
{時代|じだい}の{流|なが}れに{流|なが}された。
I was swept away by the current of the times.
{真実|しんじつ}を{語|かた}らされた。
I was made to tell the truth.
Easily Confused
Both use 'korareru'.
Both involve 'saseru' sounds.
Both start with 'ku'.
Common Mistakes
Surareru
Sareru
Kureru
Korareru
Sureru
Sareru
Kurerareru
Korareru
Surareta
Sareta
Korareta (potential)
Korareta (passive)
Saseru
Sareru
Kuru-sareru
Korareru
Sare-rareru
Sareru
Korareru (as potential)
Korareru (as passive)
Sare-saserareru
Saserareru
Korareru (in honorific context)
Irassharu
Sare-ta (in wrong context)
Sare-ta (correct context)
Sentence Patterns
___に___させられた。
___に___に来られた。
___が___された。
___に___をさせられた。
Real World Usage
{残業|ざんぎょう}させられた。
{コメント|こめんと}を{削除|さくじょ}させられた。
{急|きゅう}に{来|こ}られた！
{前職|ぜんしょく}では{多|おお}くの{経験|けいけん}をさせられました。
{道|みち}を{聞|き}かされた。
{注文|ちゅうもん}を{変更|へんこう}させられた。
Focus on the 'ni' particle
Potential vs. Passive
Use for complaints
Don't over-use
Smart Tips
Use the passive voice with the 'ni' particle to show who bothered you.
Use the causative-passive form.
Check the particle. If it's 'ni', it's passive.
Use passive to sound objective.
Pronunciation
Vowel Length
Ensure the 'e' in 'sare' and 'kora' is clear.
Pitch Accent
The pitch usually drops after the first syllable.
Complaining
Korareru... (falling tone)
Indicates annoyance or resignation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sareru' as 'Sore-ru' (that hurts) and 'Korareru' as 'Cold-rareru' (someone came in and made it cold).
Visual Association
Imagine a robot doing chores (Suru) being told 'Sareru!' (You are done!). Imagine a guest walking into your room uninvited (Kuru) and you shouting 'Korareru!' (You came!).
Rhyme
Suru becomes sareru, it's easy to see, Kuru becomes korareru, don't forget me!
Story
I was trying to study (Suru) when my boss walked in. I was made to work (Saserareru). Then, my annoying cousin came over (Kuru). I was bothered by him coming (Korareru).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using 'sareru' or 'korareru' to describe something that annoyed you.
Cultural Notes
Passive voice is often used to avoid direct blame or to sound humble.
The passive is very common in daily conversation to express personal feelings.
Passive forms are sometimes replaced by specific dialectal conjugations.
The passive voice in Japanese evolved from the auxiliary verb 'ru'/'raru'.
Conversation Starters
{最近|さいきん}、{誰|だれ}かに{困|こま}らされましたか？
{子供|こども}の{時|とき}、{何|なに}をさせられましたか？
{急|きゅう}に{友達|ともだち}に{来|こ}られたことはありますか？
{仕事|しごと}で{無理|むり}なことをさせられたことはありますか？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
{宿題|しゅくだい}が___。
{友達|ともだち}に___。
Find and fix the mistake:
{彼|かれ}にsurareru.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I was made to work.
Answer starts with: 仕事さ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
{彼|かれ}が{来|こ}られる。
{上司|じょうし}に{残業|ざんぎょう}___。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises{宿題|しゅくだい}が___。
{友達|ともだち}に___。
Find and fix the mistake:
{彼|かれ}にsurareru.
に / させられた / 先生 / 勉強
I was made to work.
Suru -> ?, Kuru -> ?
{彼|かれ}が{来|こ}られる。
{上司|じょうし}に{残業|ざんぎょう}___。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises先生に___。(I was warned by the teacher.)
Which sentence uses passive for respect (Honorifics)?
質問をすられた。(Shitsumon o surareta.)
忙しい時に客に___。(Isogashii toki ni kyaku ni ___.) - Customers came when I was busy.
Connect the pairs
mushi / kare / sareta / ni
Actually, translate: 'My PC was repaired.'
昨日、友達にきられた。(Kinou, tomodachi ni kirareta.)
先生は___。(The teacher [honorific] does research.)
Which sentence means 'I was visited'?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
They are ancient verbs that have retained unique forms throughout history.
No, it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'sareru'.
Look at the particles. 'Ga' usually marks potential, while 'ni' marks the agent in passive.
In Japanese, it is very often used for negative experiences, but not always.
It is a form used to say you were forced to do something, like 'saserareru'.
Yes, just conjugate them into the polite form (e.g., saremasu).
No, only 'suru' and 'kuru' are irregular in this way.
It can, but it also means 'to be come upon'. Context is everything.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio)
Japanese passive often implies a negative impact on the subject, which is not inherent in Spanish.
Voix passive (être + participe passé)
Japanese passive is much more common in daily speech than French passive.
Passiv (werden + Partizip II)
German passive is strictly grammatical; Japanese passive is often emotional.
Passive voice (vowel changes)
Arabic passive is purely morphological; Japanese passive is syntactic.
Bei (被) construction
Chinese 'bei' is almost exclusively for negative events; Japanese passive can be neutral.
Passive voice
The irregular verbs are the only major exception to the rule.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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