The 'Double Passive' Vibe (Advanced Causative Passive)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Combine causative (-이/히/리/기/우/구/추-) and passive (-이/히/리/기-) to express being forced into an action by someone else.
- Identify the base verb and apply the causative suffix first.
- Attach the passive suffix to the resulting causative stem.
- Ensure the subject is the one receiving the forced action.
Overview
Korean, like many languages, employs grammatical mechanisms to shift focus within a sentence. The Double Passive (이중 피동, ijung pidong) is one such advanced construction, characterized by the application of a passive marker (-어지다) to a verb that is already in a passive form (-이/히/리/기-). This creates a layered grammatical structure, often conveying a sense of profound involuntariness, inevitability, or a heightened state of being affected by external forces beyond an agent's control.
While frequently debated by prescriptive grammarians who consider it redundant or incorrect, its widespread use in modern Korean across various registers – from K-pop lyrics and K-dramas to news reporting and casual conversation – underscores its descriptive validity and crucial role in conveying specific nuances. Mastering this construction is vital for B2-level learners, as it unlocks deeper emotional and objective expression, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of contemporary Korean usage.
How This Grammar Works
-이-, -히-, -리-, or -기- (known as passive affixes) to an active verb root. For instance, 보다 (to see) becomes 보이다 (to be seen), and 잊다 (to forget) becomes 잊히다 (to be forgotten).-어지다 to this initial passive form. The suffix -어지다 typically indicates a change of state, a natural occurrence, or an autonomous process, as seen in verbs like 예뻐지다 (to become pretty) or 좋아지다 (to get better).-어지다 is appended to an already passive verb, it creates a semantic layer emphasizing the process of becoming passive or the unfolding of a passive state. This often removes any perceived agentive quality, even from the implicit agent of the single passive. For example, 보이다 means 'to be seen', implying mere visibility.보여지다 (보이다 + -어지다) suggests a scenario where something comes to be seen or is naturally revealed, often without an active viewer's intention. Similarly, 잊히다 denotes 'to be forgotten', a straightforward passive state. But 잊혀지다 (잊히다 + -어지다) evokes a sense of the forgetting process unfolding organically or inevitably, often due to time or circumstances, lending a more poignant or objective tone.이것은 발견되었다 (Igeoseun balgyeondoeeotda) – 'This was discovered' (simple passive, focus on the result). 이것은 발견되어졌다 (Igeoseun balgyeondoeeojeotda) – 'This came to be discovered' or 'This was being discovered' (double passive, emphasizing the process or natural unfolding of the discovery). This intensifies the impression that the subject is undergoing the action, rather than simply having the action done to it.Formation Pattern
-어지다 directly to an active verb to create this pattern; the verb must first be rendered passive using one of the primary passive suffixes. This sequential application is crucial for understanding its structure and nuanced meaning.
-이-, -히-, -리-, or -기-. The choice of suffix is largely lexical and must be memorized or learned through exposure, as there are no strict rules. However, certain patterns exist (e.g., verbs ending in ㄷ often take -리- after consonant change, ㅂ verbs often take -히-).
-어지다
-어지다 to its stem. Remember that if the passive verb stem ends in a vowel other than ㅏ or ㅗ, -어지다 is used. If it ends in ㅏ or ㅗ, -아지다 is used. However, with 이 (from -이-), it typically contracts to 여 (-이어지다 → -여지다).
-이/히/리/기- or -되- for Hanja verbs)] + -어지다
해체) and formal (합니다체) conjugations for present tense:
해체) | Formal (합니다체) | English Implication |
보다 (to see) | 보이다 (to be seen) | 보여지다 | 보여져요 | 보여집니다 | to come to be seen; to be revealed |
잊다 (to forget) | 잊히다 (to be forgotten) | 잊혀지다 | 잊혀져요 | 잊혀집니다 | to inevitably/gradually be forgotten |
쓰다 (to write) | 쓰이다 (to be written) | 쓰여지다 | 쓰여져요 | 쓰여집니다 | to come to be written; to be inscribed |
믿다 (to believe) | 믿기다 (to be believed) | 믿겨지다 | 믿겨져요 | 믿겨집니다 | to naturally come to be believed |
읽다 (to read) | 읽히다 (to be read) | 읽혀지다 | 읽혀져요 | 읽혀집니다 | to come to be read; to be readable |
하다 (to do) | 되다 (to become; to be done) | 되어지다 | 되어져요 | 되어집니다 | to come to be done/accomplished |
-하다 to form an active verb, the primary passive is often created with -되다. These can also undergo the double passive transformation, though they are frequently targeted by purists for redundancy.
결정하다 (to decide) → 결정되다 (to be decided) → 결정되어지다 (to come to be decided / to be in the process of being decided).
-아/어지다, depending on tense, mood, and speech level.
When To Use It
- To emphasize Involuntariness or Natural Occurrence: Use the double passive when the action or state feels like it's happening without any direct agent or conscious effort, as if by fate or natural progression. It suggests a lack of human control over the situation.
- Example:
그 사실이 자연스럽게 알려지게 되었어요.(Geu sasiri jayeonseureopge allyeojige doeeosseoyo.) – “That fact naturally came to be known.” (More than just 'was known', implies an organic process.) - For Objectivity and Distancing: In more formal or impersonal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or official statements, the double passive can create a sense of detachment. It presents information as an objective truth or an unfolding reality, minimizing the role of an observer or actor.
- Example:
이번 회의에서 중요한 결정이 내려지게 됩니다.(Ibeon hoeui-eseo jungyohan gyeoljeongi naeryeojige doemnida.) – “An important decision will come to be made in this meeting.” (Implies the decision process itself, not just the outcome.) - To express Emotional Nuance or Pathos: The construction often appears in literature, song lyrics, and personal reflections to convey deep feelings, especially those of loss, resignation, or a profound experience of being affected. It intensifies the emotional impact by framing the state as something one endures rather than merely observes.
- Example:
잊혀지지 않는 추억들이 마음을 아프게 해요.(Ichyeojiji anneun chueokdeuri maeumeul apeuge haeyo.) – “Unforgettable memories make my heart ache.” (Emphasizes the process of memories lingering, not just their state.) - To indicate Gradual Change or Development: When a state is not instantaneous but evolves over time, the double passive can highlight this progressive nature. It captures the nuance of something coming to be in a certain condition.
- Example:
오해가 점차 풀려지고 있습니다.(Ohaega jeomcha pullyeojigo itseumnida.) – “The misunderstanding is gradually coming to be resolved.” (Focuses on the ongoing resolution process.)
Common Mistakes
- Redundancy and Grammatical Overkill: The most prevalent mistake is using the Double Passive when a simple passive (
-이/히/리/기-) is perfectly sufficient and more natural. Prescriptive grammar often labels such usage as an이중 피동 오류(ijung pidong oryu, double passive error). If the meaning of inevitability or process isn't specifically intended, the single passive is almost always preferred, especially in formal writing. - Incorrect:
문이 열려져 있었다.(Muni yeollyeojyeo isseotda.) –
Causative-Passive Formation
| Base Verb | Causative | Passive | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
먹다
|
먹이다
|
먹히다
|
먹히게 되다
|
|
보다
|
보이다
|
보이다
|
보이게 되다
|
Natural Alternatives
| Formal | Natural |
|---|---|
|
먹히게 되었다
|
먹게 되었다
|
Meanings
This structure describes a situation where a subject is compelled by an external agent to perform an action. It is essentially a 'passive of a causative' verb.
Forced Action
Being made to do something against one's will or by external instruction.
“그는 억지로 웃게 되었다.”
“나는 청소를 하게 되었다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
V-게 되다
|
하게 되었다
|
|
Negative
|
V-지 않게 되다
|
하지 않게 되었다
|
|
Question
|
V-게 되었나요?
|
하게 되었나요?
|
|
Past
|
V-게 되었다
|
하게 되었다
|
|
Future
|
V-게 될 것이다
|
하게 될 것이다
|
|
Polite
|
V-게 되었습니다
|
하게 되었습니다
|
Formality Spectrum
기다리게 되었습니다. (Waiting in line)
기다리게 되었어요. (Waiting in line)
기다리게 됐어. (Waiting in line)
기다리게 됨. (Waiting in line)
The Flow of Force
Agent
- Teacher 선생님
Examples by Level
나는 먹는다.
I eat.
나는 먹게 되었다.
I was made to eat.
나는 숙제를 하게 되었다.
I was made to do homework.
나는 그 일을 맡게 되었다.
I was made to take on that task.
그는 억지로 웃음을 지어야 했다.
He was forced to smile.
그는 결국 사과를 하게끔 되었다.
He was eventually made to apologize.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up who is doing the action.
Common Mistakes
먹히다다
먹히다
하게 시키다
하게 하다
먹어지게 되다
먹게 되다
보여지게 되었다
보이게 되었다
Sentence Patterns
나는 ___하게 되었다.
Real World Usage
보고서를 작성하게 되었습니다.
Focus on -게 되다
Smart Tips
Use -게 되었습니다 to sound professional.
Pronunciation
Suffix blending
The suffixes often merge with the verb stem.
Falling
기다리게 되었다↓
Resignation
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Causative is the push, Passive is the pull. Together, you are pushed and pulled into action.
Visual Association
Imagine a puppet on strings. The puppeteer is the causative, the strings are the passive.
Rhyme
Causative first, then passive too, makes the action happen to you.
Story
I didn't want to clean. My boss made me (causative). I was made to clean (passive). Now I am tired.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you were forced to do today.
Cultural Notes
Used to show humility and lack of agency in tasks.
Derived from Middle Korean causative and passive markers.
Conversation Starters
오늘 무엇을 하게 되었나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
나는 숙제를 ___.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises나는 숙제를 ___.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercises마음이 / 찢겨지고 / 내 / 있어요
The secret was revealed (shown).
Match the following:
Pick the double passive form:
사실이라고 안 ___.
책이 잘 읽히지다. (Should be double passive).
The phone line was cut off.
Which sounds most like a ballad lyric?
케이크가 여러 조각으로 ___.
느껴져요 / 가슴으로
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
Yes, in formal contexts.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Causative-passive (-saserareru)
Korean is slightly more periphrastic.
Ser obligado a
Korean uses suffixes.
Gezwungen werden
Korean is agglutinative.
Être forcé de
Korean is agglutinative.
Bei... (被)
Korean is agglutinative.
Passive voice
Korean uses suffixes.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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