Japanese word

受身

Pronunciation

Romajiukemi

Meaning

  • nounpassive

Example

この文は受身です。ko no bun wa uke mi de su

This sentence is in the passive voice.

Illustration for 受身 (passive)

More examples

この文では、動作を受ける人を受身の主語にします。ko no bun de wa dō sa o u ke ru hito o uke mi no shu go ni shi ma su

In this sentence, the person affected by the action is made the subject of the passive voice.

Core concept

Centers on being acted upon or meeting an incoming action without taking the initiative, which gives the word both grammatical and defensive uses.

Common phrases

  • 受身の文uke mi no bun

    a passive sentence

  • 受身を使うuke mi o tsuka u

    use the passive voice

  • 受身で表すuke mi de arawa su

    express in the passive voice

Similar words

受動態judōtai: A grammatical form that presents the receiver of an action as the subject.
受動judō: The state of receiving an action without taking the initiative.

Definition in Japanese

相手からの作用を受け、自分から先に働きかけないこと。ai te ka ra no sa yō o u ke ji bun ka ra saki ni hatara ki ka ke na i ko to

Word origin

受身 (ukemi) is a Japanese compound of 受け (uke, "receiving") and 身 (mi, "self"), presenting the self as the receiver of an action.

Usage tips

  • In judo, 受身 (ukemi) refers to breakfall practice, in which controlled movement helps protect the body when falling.

Other meanings

  • defensivena-adjective

Opposites

  • 能動nōdōactivenoun

Related words

  • 受身的ukemitekipassivena-adjective
  • 受身性ukemiseipassivitynoun

Word lists with this word