The Passive Suffix -gd-
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The -gd- suffix turns active verbs into passive ones, shifting the focus from the doer to the action or the receiver.
- Add -gd- to the verb stem if it ends in a vowel: 'bichih' (to write) -> 'bichigdeh' (to be written).
- Add -agd- to the verb stem if it ends in a consonant: 'oloh' (to find) -> 'oldoh' (to be found).
- The subject of the passive sentence is the object of the active sentence.
Meanings
The -gd- suffix is used to create the passive voice in Mongolian, where the grammatical subject undergoes the action.
Passive Action
Focusing on the recipient of an action.
“Zahia ilgeegdev. (The letter was sent.)”
“Tsooj tsoogdloo. (The lock was locked.)”
Passive Suffix Conjugation
| Active Verb | Stem | Passive Suffix | Passive Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bichih | Bich | -igdeh | Bichigdeh |
| Oloh | Ol | -dogdoh | Oldogdoh |
| Hiih | Hi | -gdeh | Hiigdeh |
| Neheh | Nee | -gdeh | Neegdeh |
| Barih | Bar | -igdoh | Barigdoh |
| Yarih | Yar | -igdoh | Yarigdoh |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Stem + gd/agd | Bichigdev |
| Negative | Stem + gd/agd + gui | Bichigdeegui |
| Question | Stem + gd/agd + uu/yu | Bichigdev uu? |
| Past | Stem + gd/agd + lee/v | Bichigdev |
| Present | Stem + gd/agd + deg | Bichigdedeg |
| Future | Stem + gd/agd + h | Bichigdeh bolno |
طيف الرسمية
Ajil hiigdev. (Work report)
Ajil hiigdsen. (Work report)
Ajil hiigdsen shuu. (Work report)
Ajil duussan. (Work report)
Passive Voice Concept
Function
- Focus on Object Object focus
Formation
- Vowel + gd Vowel stem
- Consonant + agd Consonant stem
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Nom unshigdlaa.
The book was read.
Hool idegdev.
The food was eaten.
Tsooj tsoogdloo.
The lock was locked.
Zahia bichigdev.
The letter was written.
Haalga neegdev.
The door was opened.
Tuluwlogoo batlagdav.
The plan was approved.
Ajil hiigdev.
The work was done.
Tulhuur oldsongui.
The key was not found.
Hurald oroltsoh shiidver gargagdav.
The decision to participate in the meeting was made.
Barilga barigdah ajil ehlev.
The construction work of the building started.
Medeelel damjuulagdav.
The information was transmitted.
Huuli batlagdlaa.
The law was passed.
Tusgai zovshoorol olgogdson baina.
A special permit has been granted.
Tusul amjilttai heregjigdev.
The project was successfully implemented.
Tuhain asuudal heden udaa yarigdav.
That issue was discussed several times.
Harin ene tuhai heleh zuil alga.
However, there is nothing to be said about this.
Ene tuhai uridchilan medegdeegui baina.
It has not been notified about this in advance.
Tuhain uil yavtsiin tuhai todorhoi tailbarlagdav.
The process was explained in detail.
Tusgai hesegchilen shalgagdav.
The special section was inspected.
Harin hezee ch helegdehgui.
But it will never be said.
Tuhain uil yavdal ni niigmiin shudarga yosond harshilohod hurgene.
The event leads to a contradiction in social justice.
Tusgai uil ajillagaa yavuulagdah ni zui yosnii hereg.
It is appropriate that the special operation be conducted.
Ene ni huuliin daguu shiidverlegdeh yostoi.
This must be decided according to the law.
Tuhain uil yavtsiin hesegchilen shinjlegdeh ni chuhal.
It is important that the process be analyzed partially.
سهل الخلط
Both involve suffixing the verb stem.
Learners try to make them passive.
Learners forget to use passive when the agent is unknown.
أخطاء شائعة
Bi bichigdev
Zahia bichigdev
Nom unshihgdlaa
Nom unshigdlaa
Hool ideglaa
Hool idegdev
Tsooj tsoogd
Tsooj tsoogdloo
Haalga neeg
Haalga neegdev
Ajil hiig
Ajil hiigdev
Tulhuur oldson
Tulhuur oldsongui
Hural yarigdlaa
Hural yarigdav
Barilga barigdah
Barilga barigdav
Huuli batlag
Huuli batlagdlaa
Uil yavts shinjlegdeh
Uil yavts shinjlegdev
أنماط الجُمل
___ ___ ___.
___ ___ ___ ___.
___ ___ ___ ___?
___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
Real World Usage
Huuli batlagdlaa.
Ajil hiigdev.
Zahia bichigdev.
Tulhuur oldsongui.
Barilga barigdav.
Turshilt hiigdev.
Check the stem
No intransitive
Formal tone
Object focus
Smart Tips
Use the passive voice to keep the focus on the task.
Use the passive voice to avoid guessing.
Use the passive voice for each step.
Use the passive voice to remove yourself from the sentence.
النطق
Suffix stress
The stress usually falls on the syllable before the -gd- suffix.
Falling
Nom unshigdlaa ↓
Statement of fact.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of 'GD' as 'Got Done'. If the action 'Got Done' to the object, use -gd-.
ربط بصري
Imagine a book floating in the air with a pen writing on it by itself. The book is the subject, and the action is happening to it.
Rhyme
When the doer is gone, add -gd- to carry on.
Story
The king lost his crown. He didn't say 'I lost it'. He said 'The crown was lost' (Tug oldsongui). Everyone looked for it, and finally, it was found (Oldov).
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Look around your room and describe 3 things using the passive voice (e.g., 'The light was turned on').
ملاحظات ثقافية
Passive voice is preferred in official documents to maintain neutrality.
Researchers use passive voice to focus on the experiment, not the researcher.
Journalists use passive voice to report events objectively.
The -gd- suffix is a Proto-Mongolic development for passive voice.
بدايات محادثة
Tusul yaj heregjigdev?
Nom unshigdlaa uu?
Ajil hiigdev uu?
Huuli batlagdlaa uu?
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
Test Yourself
Nom ___ (unshih).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bi uhegdev.
Bi zahia bichiv.
Can you use -gd- with all verbs?
A: Ajil hiigdev uu? B: ___.
Nom / unshigdlaa / sain.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
تمارين تطبيقية
8 exercisesNom ___ (unshih).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Bi uhegdev.
Bi zahia bichiv.
Can you use -gd- with all verbs?
A: Ajil hiigdev uu? B: ___.
Nom / unshigdlaa / sain.
Bichih -> ?
Score: /8
الأسئلة الشائعة (8)
No, only transitive verbs that take an object.
Use -gd- for vowel stems and -agd- for consonant stems.
Yes, it is often used in formal and academic writing.
Yes, but it might sound a bit formal.
The passive voice is perfect for that.
Functionally yes, but structurally different.
Yes, by adding the future marker.
Extremely common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser + participio
Suffix vs auxiliary verb.
être + participe passé
Suffix vs auxiliary verb.
werden + Partizip II
Suffix vs auxiliary verb.
-reru/-rareru
Vowel harmony in Mongolian.
Internal vowel change
Suffix vs internal change.
bei (被)
Particle vs suffix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Connected Grammar
Causative Suffix
ContrastIt is the opposite of the passive.
Verb Stems
PrerequisiteYou need to know stems to use -gd-.
Tense Markers
Builds OnPassive verbs still need tense.
Negative Particles
Builds OnYou need to know how to negate.
