Part 34 - Passive Voice
Part 34.1 - 이/히/리/기 + 되다 — Action Happens to Subject / Passive Meaning
Basic Information
Use 이/히/리/기 + 되다 to express the **passive voice** — when something happens to the subject, or when an action is done by someone else.
It is often translated as:
- is done
- is made
- is completed
- gets done
Grammar Rule
- Some verbs have specific passive forms using **이/히/리/기** attached to the verb stem.
- Then use **되다** to express the passive voice.
Common passive transformations:
- 보다 → 보이다 (to be seen)
- 닫다 → 닫히다 (to be closed)
- 열다 → 열리다 (to be opened)
- 쓰기 → 쓰이다 (to be written)
Usage
Use **이/히/리/기 + 되다** to:
- Say something happens **to** the subject.
- Describe **passive situations** (where the subject is not the doer).
- Talk about **results** or **processes**.
Example Sentences
| Korean |
English |
| 문이 열렸어요. |
The door was opened. |
| 창문이 닫혔어요. |
The window was closed. |
| 편지가 쓰였어요. |
The letter was written. |
| 그 그림이 보였어요. |
The picture was seen. |
Important Notes
- Some verbs naturally have **passive forms**; not all verbs can take **이/히/리/기**.
- You can also use **되다** after a noun or verbal noun to mean "is done / gets done".
- This is common in **formal writing** and **news**, but also used in speech.
Summary
Use 이/히/리/기 + 되다 to:
- Describe passive actions
- Say something happens to the subject
- Talk about results of actions
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Verb stem + 이/히/리/기 + 되다 → passive action
- 문이 열리다 → the door is opened
- 편지가 쓰이다 → the letter is written
End of Lesson
Now you know how to use **이/히/리/기 + 되다** to express passive meaning in Korean.
This is very useful when talking about actions that happen to people or things. 🎉
Part 34.2 - Verb + 아/어지다 — Passive Voice for Adjectives / State Changes
Basic Information
Use Verb + 아/어지다 to express **passive meaning** or **state change** — describing how something becomes a certain state.
It is often translated as:
- becomes ...
- gets ...
- turns ...
- is done ...
Grammar Rule
- Verb stem + 아/어지다
- 아지다 → after stems with ㅏ or ㅗ
- 어지다 → after other stems
Usage
Use **아/어지다** to:
- Express a change of state.
- Make **passive voice** sentences (when no doer is mentioned).
- Describe how something turns into a certain condition.
Example Sentences
| Korean |
English |
| 한국어가 쉬워졌어요. |
Korean became easy. |
| 날씨가 따뜻해졌어요. |
The weather became warm. |
| 길이 넓어졌어요. |
The road became wide. |
| 옷이 더러워졌어요. |
The clothes became dirty. |
| 문이 닫아졌어요. |
The door was closed. (passive) |
Important Notes
- **아/어지다** is commonly used for **adjective-like verbs** and state change expressions.
- It can also express a passive meaning — when something is done by an unknown agent.
- Very common in **spoken Korean** and in **descriptions**.
Summary
Use 아/어지다 to:
- Describe changes of state
- Make passive expressions
- Say how something becomes a condition
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Verb stem + 아/어지다 → becomes / gets / turns into
- 따뜻해지다 → becomes warm
- 쉬워지다 → becomes easy
End of Lesson
Now you know how to use **아/어지다** to describe changes of state and make passive expressions in Korean.
This is a very useful and natural pattern — practice using it in your sentences! 🎉
