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Korean Grammar Patterns
被動 vs 使動
Meaning
Passive vs causative
How to use it
이/히/리/기 marks the passive (subject undergoes), while 이/히/리/기/우/구/추 can also mark the causative (subject makes another act). Same suffix, opposite roles: 보이다 = 'be seen' (passive) or 'show' (causative). Particles and context disambiguate.
Causative adds an object/causee; passive removes the agent.,우/구/추 are causative-only (재우다, 솟구다, 낮추다).
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 아기가 엄마에게 안겼어요. (피동) agiga eommaege angyeosseoyo. | The baby was held by the mother. (passive 안기다) |
| 엄마가 아기를 재웠어요. (사동) eommaga agireul jaewosseoyo. | The mother put the baby to sleep. (causative 재우다) |
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