polv/ko-grammar
1
0 Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity
Files
f3c3b2bbb31f6b787ffdb70ee6431f0b5e77aef1
ko-grammar/docs/howtostudykorean/unit-1/14-passive.md
T
polv 7b9b5691dd lesson 14 remaining vocab
2026-05-22 23:53:02 +07:00

1233 lines
70 KiB
Markdown
Raw Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters
This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.
# Lesson 14: Korean Passive Verbs
## Vocabulary
### Nouns
냄새 (나다) <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">smell</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>냄새가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for something a smell to come out</span>
- <TTS>냄새가 지독하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for something to smell terrible</span>
- <TTS>냄새를 맡다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to smell (verb) a smell (noun)</span>
- <TTS>냄새를 맡아봐</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">try smelling this</span>
Notes:
It is hard for an English speaker to understand this word. “<TTS>냄새</TTS>” is a noun that means “<span class="md spoiler">smell</span>.” If you want to say that something is <span class="md spoiler">smelly (adjective)</span>, you need to use the verb 나다, which is very confusing. 나다 acts as a passive verb which is introduced in Lesson 14.
For a positive/good smell, the word “<TTS>향</TTS>” is more commonly used.
Examples:
- 그 방에서 **냄새**가 나요 = <span class="md spoiler">That room is **smelly** (A **smell** is coming out of that room)</span>
- 김치 찌개 **냄새** 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">It **smells** like Kimchi Jjigae</span>
</Details>
청소기 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">vacuum cleaner</span>
<Details>
Notes: Adding “기” after many nouns changes the word to a machine. “청소기” is literally “<span class="md spoiler">cleaning machine</span>”
Example:
- 저는 거실을 **청소기**로 청소했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I cleaned the living room with a **vacuum cleaner**</span>
</Details>
얼굴 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">face</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>얼굴을 씻다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to wash your face</span>
- <TTS>얼굴이 빨갛다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for one’s face to be red</span>
Examples:
- 저는 그 사람의 **얼굴**을 못 봤어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I couldn’t see that person’s **face**</span>
- **얼굴**이 왜 이렇게 빨개요? = <span class="md spoiler">Why is your **face** so red?</span>
- 제가 세수를 하지 않았기 때문에 **얼굴**이 더러워 보여요 = <span class="md spoiler">My **face** looks dirty because I didn’t wash it</span>
</Details>
시장 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">market</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>주식시장</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">stock market</span>
- <TTS>남대문 시장</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">Namdaemun market</span>
Examples:
- 저는 이 사과를 **시장**에서 샀어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I bought these apples at the <strong>market</strong></span>
- 토론토는 동양**시장**이 많아요 = <span class="md spoiler">Toronto has a lot of Eastern (Oriental) <strong>markets</strong></span>
- 저는 내일 **시장**에서 사과를 팔 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will sell apples at the **market** tomorrow</span>
- 동대문**시장**에서 아주머니가 많아요 = <span class="md spoiler">There are a lot of older women in Dongdaemun **market**</span>
</Details>
몸 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">body</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>몸무게</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">body weight</span>
- <TTS>잇몸</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">gums (in your mouth)</span>
- <TTS>몸이 아프다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for one’s body to be sore (to be sick)</span>
- <TTS>몸이 좋다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be healthy (literally, for one’s body to be good)</span>
- <TTS>몸매</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">one’s figure</span>
- <TTS>몸살</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for one’s body to be aching</span>
- <TTS>알몸</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">naked</span>
Examples:
- 저의 **몸**이 너무 아파서 못 가요 = <span class="md spoiler">I can’t go because my **body** is so sore</span>
- 양복을 입은 후에 **몸**이 따뜻해졌어요 = <span class="md spoiler">After I put on a suit, my **body** got warm</span>
- **몸**무게가 몇 킬로예요? = <span class="md spoiler">How much do you weigh?</span>
- **몸**무게가 몇 킬로가 나가요? = <span class="md spoiler">How much do you weigh?</span>
- 저는 **수건**으로 몸을 닦았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I wiped my body with a <strong>towel</strong></span>
- 잠을 못 자면 다음 날에 **몸**이 피곤해져요 = <span class="md spoiler">When/if you don’t sleep well, the next day you (your **body**) will be tired</span>
</Details>
불 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">light/fire</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>불이 나가다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for the lights to go out</span>
- <TTS>불을 끄다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to turn off the lights</span>
- <TTS>불꽃</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">flame</span>
- <TTS>불꽃놀이</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">fireworks</span>
Examples:
- 저는 **불**을 껐어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I turned the **lights** off</span>
- 옛날 사람들은 **불**을 발견했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">People from a long time ago discovered **fire**</span>
- **불**을 켜도 돼요? = <span class="md spoiler">Can I turn the **lights** on?</span>
</Details>
숙제 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">homework</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “숙쩨”
Examples:
- 저는 **숙제**를 하기 싫어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t like doing <strong>homework</strong></span>
- 저는 **숙제**를 끝냈어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/44.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I finished my <strong>homework</strong></span>
- 저는 저의 **숙제**를 가져왔어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I brought my <strong>homework</strong></span>
- 그 학생은 **숙제**를 가져오지 않았어 = <span class="md spoiler">That student didn’t bring his <strong>homework</strong></span>
- 저는 **숙제**를 나중에 할 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I am going to do my **homework** later</span>
- 저는 **숙제**를 다 했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I did all of my <strong>homework</strong></span>
- 저는 **숙제**를 빨리 했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I did my **homework** quickly</span>
- 저는 **숙제**를 끝내고 나서 집으로 갈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will finish my **homework** and then go home</span>
- 저는 선생님에게 **숙제**에 대한 설명을 요청했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I asked the teacher for an explanation of the **homework**</span>
</Details>
기억 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">memory</span>
<Details>
The verb form of this word translates to “<span class="md spoiler">to remember</span>”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>기억력</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">one’s memory ability</span>
- <TTS>기억나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for a memory to “come up” – (“to remember”)</span>
- <TTS>기억이 안 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to not remember</span>
- <TTS>기억 세포</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">Memory cell</span>
Notes:
The word 나다 is often used to indicate that a memory “comes” up. See Lesson 14 for more information.
Examples:
- 저는 그 사람의 이름이 **기억**이 안 나요 = <span class="md spoiler">I can’t **remember** that person’s name</span>
- 행복했던 **기억**을 생각하고 있다 = <span class="md spoiler">I’m thinking about happy <strong>memories</strong></span>
- 나는 그때 **기억**이 안 났어 = <span class="md spoiler">I didn’t **remember** (that) at that time</span>
- 저는 선생님이 그것을 언제 가르쳤는지 **기억** 안 나요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t **remember** when the teacher taught that</span>
- 저는 그 학생이 어느 대학교를 다니는지 **기억** 안 나요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t **remember** which university that student attends</span>
- 선생님이 저에게 그 질문을 물어본 것이 **기억** 안 나요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t **remember** the teacher asking that question to me</span>
</Details>
상자 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">box</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>나무 상자</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">wooden box</span>
Notes:
The Korean pronunciation of “<span class="md spoiler">box</span>” (<TTS>박스</TTS>) is often used as well
Example:
- 저는 핸드폰을 **상자**에 넣었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I put the phone in the **box**</span>
</Details>
바람 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">wind</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>바람이 불다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for wind to be blowing</span>
- <TTS>바람을 쐬다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to go out and enjoy the breeze</span>
- <TTS>칼 바람</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">a very cold wind (literally, “knife wind”)</span>
- <TTS>비바람</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">rainstorm</span>
Example:
- 바다 근처에 **바람**이 세게 불어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The **wind** is strong near the ocean</span>
- 문이 **바람**에 닫혔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door was closed by the **wind**</span>
</Details>
세금 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">tax</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>세금을 내다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to pay taxes</span>
- <TTS>세금을 징수하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to collect taxes</span>
- <TTS>소득세</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">income tax</span>
Example:
- 한국에서는 **세금**이 물건 값에 포함돼요 = <span class="md spoiler">In Korea, **tax** is included in the price of goods</span>
- 이 값은 **세금**을 포함해요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">This price includes **tax**</span>
- **세금** 은 값에 포함된다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The **tax** is included in the price</span>
</Details>
### Verbs
켜다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to turn on</span>
<Details>
The passive form of this word is <TTS>켜지다</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">to be turned on</span>)
Example:
- 저는 아까 컴퓨터를 **켰어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **turned** the computer **on** earlier</span>
</Details>
끄다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to turn off</span>
<Details>
The passive form of this word is “<TTS>꺼지다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to be turned off</span>)
끄다 follows the ㅡ irregular
Examples:
- 저는 불을 **껐어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **turned** the lights <strong>off</strong></span>
- 저는 TV를 **껐어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **turned** the TV **off**</span>
</Details>
숨다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to hide oneself</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “숨따”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>숨어 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be hidden</span>
Notes:
This is used when somebody hides <span class="md spoiler">his/herself</span>. When hiding <span class="md spoiler">an object</span>, <TTS>숨기다</TTS> is used.
Example:
- 저는 큰 박스 뒤에 **숨었어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **hid** behind a big box</span>
</Details>
숨기다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to hide an object</span>
<Details>
Notes:
When hiding <span class="md spoiler">oneself</span>, the word <TTS>숨다</TTS> is used. For example:
- 저는 박스 뒤에 숨었어요
However, when hiding <span class="md spoiler">an object</span>, <TTS>숨기다</TTS> is used.
Examples:
- 저는 반지를 박스 안에 **숨겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **hid** the ring in a box</span>
- 그녀는 아이가 죽었다는 사실을 **숨겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">She **hid** (the fact that) her child died</span>
</Details>
고장내다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to break</span>
<Details>
The passive form of this word is “<TTS>고장 나다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to be broken</span>)
Notes:
The passive form of this word is _more commonly used_ than the active version.
Example:
- 저는 컴퓨터를 **고장 냈어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **broke** the computer</span>
</Details>
놓다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to lay an object down</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “노타”
The passive form of this word is “<TTS>놓이다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to be placed on something</span>)
Examples:
- 펜을 탁자에 **놓으세요**! = <span class="md spoiler">**Put** your pens on the table!</span>
- 저는 병을 탁자에 **놓았어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **put** the bottle on the table</span>
</Details>
눕다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to lie down</span>
<Details>
눕다 follows the ㅂ irregular
Common Usages:
- <TTS>누워 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be lying down</span>
- 누워서… 하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to do something while lying down</span>
Notes:
The word <TTS>눕히다</TTS> is used to indicate that you <span class="md spoiler">laid another person down</span>
Examples:
- 저는 침대에 잠깐 **눕**고 싶어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to **lie down** for just a second</span>
- 저는 **누워서** 책을 읽었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I **lied** down and read a book</span>
- 피곤한 사람은 침대에 **누워서** 잤어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The tired person **lied** on the bed and slept</span>
</Details>
존경하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to respect</span>
<Details>
Notes:
When one <span class="md spoiler">receives respect</span>, <TTS>존경 받다</TTS> is used
Examples:
- 아이들은 자기 부모님을 **존경해**야 돼요 = <span class="md spoiler">Children must **respect** their parents</span>
- 저는 저의 형을 **존경해요** <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I **respect** my brother</span>
- 만약 제가 선생님이라면 학생들에게 **존경**을 받고 싶을 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">If I were a teacher, I would want to be **respected** by students</span>
</Details>
대체하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to replace</span>
<Details>
The noun form of this word translates to “<span class="md spoiler">replacement</span>”
Examples:
- 회사는 기계를 **대체했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The company **replaced** the machine</span>
- 교실에서 선생님들을 컴퓨터로 **대체할** 수 없어요 = <span class="md spoiler">You can’t **replace** teachers with computers in the classroom</span>
</Details>
제공하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to provide, to offer</span>
<Details>
Examples:
- 그 헬스장은 개인 사물함을 **제공해요** = <span class="md spoiler">That gym **provides** a personal locker</span>
- 우리 학교는 외국 선생님들한테 집을 **제공해요** = <span class="md spoiler">The school **provides** housing to foreign teachers</span>
</Details>
포함하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to include</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- ~를/을 포함해서 = <span class="md spoiler">including…</span>
- <TTS>우리를 포함해서</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">including us</span>
See [Lesson 71](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-3-intermediate-korean-grammar/lessons-67-75/lesson-71/) for more information
Example:
- 이 가격은 세금을 **포함해요** = <span class="md spoiler">This price **includes** tax</span>
- 이 뷔페가격은 음료수를 **포함해요** = <span class="md spoiler">This buffet price **includes** drinks</span>
- 나를 **포함해서** 네 명이 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">There are four people **including** me</span>
</Details>
내다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to make something come up/arise/occur</span>
<Details>
Notes:
Words ending in 내다 can usually be switched to end in <TTS>나다</TTS> to change the meaning from active to passive (and vice-versa). However, not all words ending in 나다 have an equivalent 내다 verb (and vice-versa). 나다 and 내다 can be used as standalone verbs as well as be attached to other words. Both of their meanings are very complex and depend heavily on the situation. When used by itself, it usually translates to <span class="md spoiler">“pay” or to “submit”</span> For example:
- <TTS>돈을 내다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to pay (money)</span>
- <TTS>세금을 내다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to pay taxes</span>
- <TTS>신청 서류를 내다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to submit an application form</span>
However, it can be found attached to many words that also have a 나다 (<span class="md spoiler">passive</span>) equivalent:
- 저는 컴퓨터를 고장 **냈어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I broke the computer</span>
- 저는 숙제를 끝**냈어요** <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/44.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I finished my homework</span>
</Details>
싸우다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to fight</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>싸움</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">a fight</span>
- <TTS>싸우지 마세요</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">Don’t fight</span>
Example:
- 그는 여자 친구랑 지금 **싸우**고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">He is **fighting** with his girlfriend now</span>
- 교실에서 **싸우지** 마세요 = <span class="md spoiler">Don’t **fight** in the classroom</span>
- 우리 할아버지는 한국전쟁에서 **싸웠어요** = <span class="md spoiler">Our grandfather **fought** in the Korean War</span>
</Details>
속이다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to trick somebody</span>
<Details>
The passive form of this word is “<TTS>속다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to be tricked</span>)
Example:
- 저는 친구를 **속였어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **tricked** my friend</span>
</Details>
감동하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to impress</span>
<Details>
The noun form of this word translates to “<span class="md spoiler">impression</span>”
Notes:
More commonly used as <TTS>감동받다</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">to be impressed</span>) and <TTS>감동시키다</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">to impress</span>)
Example:
- 저는 당신의 말에 **감동받았어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I was **impressed** with what you said</span>
- 저는 학생들에게 **감동**을 크게 받았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I was greatly **impressed** by the students</span>
</Details>
서다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to stand</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 서서 … 하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to do something while standing</span>
- <TTS>서 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be standing</span>
Notes:
To indicate that you went from <span class="md spoiler">the sitting/lying down position to standing</span>, the word “<TTS>일어나다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to get up</span>) should be used.
Examples:
- 우리는 한 시간 동안 줄에 **서** **있었어요** = <span class="md spoiler">We were **standing** in the line for an hour</span>
- 저는 줄에 **서**서 순서를 기다렸어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I **stood** in line and waited for my turn</span>
</Details>
### Passive Verbs
잠기다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be locked</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>잠그다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to lock</span>)
Example:
- 문이 **잠겨 있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The door is **locked**</span>
</Details>
켜지다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be turned on</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>켜다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to turn on</span>)
Example:
- 컴퓨터가 **켜져** **있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The computer is **(in the state of being) on**</span>
</Details>
꺼지다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Lesson14break.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be turned off</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>끄다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to turn off</span>)
Example:
- TV가 **꺼져** **있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The TV is **(in the state of being)** **off**</span>
</Details>
나다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to have something you didn’t have</span>
<Details>
Notes:
Words ending in 나다 can usually be switched to end in 내다 to change the meaning from passive to active (and vice-versa). However, not all words ending in 나다 have an equivalent 내다 verb (and vice-versa). 나다 and 내다 can be used as standalone verbs as well as be attached to other words. Both of their meanings are very complex and depend heavily on the situation. I discuss this more deeply in this lesson. Furthermore, a detailed list of many ways 나다 can be used is shown in [Lesson 128](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-6/lessons-126-133/lesson-128/).
Common Usages:
- <TTS>열이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to have a fever (for a fever to come up)</span>
- <TTS>생각이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to think of (for a thought to come up)</span>
- <TTS>기억이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to remember (for a memory to come up)</span>
- <TTS>화가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get angry (for anger to come up)</span>
- <TTS>질투가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get jealous (for jealously to come up)</span>
- <TTS>짜증이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be annoyed (for annoyance to come up)</span>
Examples:
- 좋은 생각이 **났어요**! = <span class="md spoiler">I **have** a good idea</span>
- 우리 아들은 열이 **났어요** = <span class="md spoiler">My son **has** a fever</span>
</Details>
고장나다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be broken</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>고장 내다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to break</span>)
Example:
- 컴퓨터는 **고장 났어요** <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/43-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">the computer is **broken**</span>
</Details>
화나다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v32.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be mad</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 저의 여자 친구는 저한테 **화(가) 났어요** = <span class="md spoiler">My girlfriend was **mad** at me</span>
- 선생님을 존경하지 않으면 나는 **화가** **날** **거야** = <span class="md spoiler">If you don’t respect your teacher, I will be **mad**</span>
</Details>
짜증나다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v33.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be annoyed</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 저는 그가 너무 **짜증나요** = <span class="md spoiler">I am **annoyed** at him</span>
- 수압이 너무 낮아서 우리 집에서 샤워를 하면 **짜증이 나요**
- <span class="md spoiler">It is **annoying** showering at my house because the water pressure is too low</span>
</Details>
놓이다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">for an object to be lying down</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “노이다”
The active form of this word is “<TTS>놓다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to put down</span>)
Common Usages:
- <TTS>놓여 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for something to be “lying” somewhere</span>
Examples:
- 펜이 탁자에 **놓여** **있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The pen is **on** the table (**lying** **on** the table)</span>
- 책상에 책 몇 권이 **놓여** **있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">There are some books **on** the desk</span>
</Details>
열리다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be open</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>열다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to open</span>)
Common Usages:
- <TTS>열려 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be open</span>
Examples:
- 문이 **열려** **있어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The door is <strong>open(ed)</strong></span>
- 문이 **열려** 있을 것 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">The door will probably be **open**</span>
</Details>
닫히다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be closed</span>
<Details>
The active form of this word is “<TTS>닫다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to close</span>)
Common Usages:
- <TTS>닫혀 있다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be closed</span>
Examples:
- 문이 **닫혀** 있었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The door was <strong>closed</strong></span>
- 문은 바람에 **닫혔어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The door was **closed** by the wind</span>
</Details>
속다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be tricked</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “속따”
The active form of this word is “<TTS>속이다</TTS>” (<span class="md spoiler">to trick</span>)
Example:
- 저는 친구에게 **속았어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I was **tricked** by my friend</span>
</Details>
### Adverbs
자꾸 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson14v38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">repeatedly</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 저에게 왜 **자꾸** 전화해요? = <span class="md spoiler">Why do you keep calling me **over and over**?</span>
</Details>
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/).
You might also want to try listening to all of the words on loop with this [Vocabulary Practice video]
<YouTube id=T82bqLiVcn8 />
<em>There are 1050 vocabulary entries in Unit 1. All entries are linked to an audio file.
You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/).</em>
## Introduction
This lesson contains a lot of boring, confusing grammar. I am warning you now.
If you looked at the vocabulary list of this lesson before reading this, you may have noticed something strange with some of the words. A lot of the words look very similar to each other. The reason for this is because today you will learn about passive verbs in Korean. Though I studied passive verbs very early in my studies, it is something that actually took me a year to fully grasp – and not because it is incredibly difficult, but rather that I never received any proper instruction regarding passive verbs.
I don’t really like explaining English grammar too much in my lessons. However, an understanding of what passive verbs are and how they are used in English sentences will help you with your understanding of their equivalent Korean sentences.
An active verb is used when a subject does an action. For example:
_In the examples below, the subject is “I”_
- I eat
- I learn
- I open
Active verbs often act on an object. For example:
_The word “object” here refers to the part of speech that a verb can act on. Sometimes learners get confused and think that an object means “a thing,” for example; “a pencil” or “a door.” In theory, any noun can be an object of a sentence – including people or abstract ideas that are not considered “objects” in the literal (non-language) sense. For example, the objects are underlined in the following sentences:_
- I love my father
- He wants respect
---
- I eat rice
- I learn Korean
- I open the door
Some active verbs by their nature cannot act on an object. For example, the active verbs are underlined in the examples below:
- I went to the park
- I arrived at the park
_“The park” in the above examples are not objects. The verb is not acting on that part of speech. They just indicate places within the sentence._
In all of the above examples, regardless of if there is an object in the sentence or not, the subject performs the action. These are all active sentences.
Passive sentences indicate that an action is performed on the subject. For example:
- I was kicked
- The door was opened
- The hamburger was eaten
In English, passive verbs feel like adjectives because their sentence structures are similar. For example:
- I was handsome
- The door was big
- The hamburger was delicious
Let’s look at an active verb and passive verb being used in similar sentences:
1. I opened the door
2. The door was opened
In the first example “I” am the subject and I performed the action (opening) on the object (the door).
In the second example, “the door” is the subject and the action (opening) was performed on it.
Below are some more active-passive pairs to help you see how they differ from one-another:
_All of the examples below are in the present tense. In the present tense, these passive sentences (just like most plain sentences used in the present tense) sound unnatural. For example, I would never say “I turn the computer on.” However, I am using the present tense simply because this is the basic “raw” form of the sentence. They could be applied to the past, the future, or other complicated things could be applied to them._
- I turn the computer on
- The computer is turned on
---
- I lock the door
- The door is locked
---
- I respect my friend
- My friend is respected
---
- I cooked the rice
- The rice is cooked
Passive verbs (like adjectives) cannot act on an object. For example:
- I opened the door (active verb) – correct
- The door was opened me (passive verb) – incorrect
- The door was big me (adjective) – incorrect
However, sentences with passive verbs can include more information to indicate by whom (or by what) the action was performed. For example:
- The door was opened by me
- The door was opened by the wind
- The door was opened by the guard
I’ll do the same with all of the passive sentences that I showed you earlier:
- The computer was turned on by me
- The door was locked by the teacher
- My friend is respected by many people
- The rice was cooked by my mother
Because passive verbs cannot act on an object, you will never see ~을/를 in a sentence predicated by a passive verb in Korean. Remember, ~을/를 is used to mark objects in Korean sentences – and therefore their usage is impossible with passive verbs.
This is probably the most important paragraph in the entire lesson; _it is usually unnatural to use passive verbs in Korean_. In almost every situation, it is more natural to use the active form of a verb. For example, instead of saying “the house is built” it is more natural to say “somebody built the house” (which implies that the house is now built).
Nonetheless, understanding how passive verbs are used in Korean is crucial to your development.
There are many ways to make a passive sentence in Korean. In this lesson, we will look at the different ways this can be done.
It is also important to remember that passive verbs are **_verbs_** – not adjectives. Korean learners often think they are adjectives because they look, sound and feel similar to adjectives and they never act on objects. Always remember that passive verbs are verbs. This is important because you must conjugate them as verbs and not as adjectives.
Alright, let’s get started.
## 하다 to 되다
I’ve told you twice before that verbs ending in 하다 can usually be separated from 하다 to create a noun form of that verb. 하다 then has the meaning of “do”:
- 나는 일했어 = <span class="md spoiler">I worked</span>
which has the same meaning of:
- 나는 일을 했어 = <span class="md spoiler">I did work/I worked</span>
When dealing with 하다 verbs, most of the time you can simply exchange 하다 with 되다, to make that verb passive. For example:
- 포함하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to include</span>
- <TTS>포함되다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be included</span>
---
- 제공하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to provide</span>
- <TTS>제공되다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be provided</span>
---
- 대체하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to replace</span>
- <TTS>대체되다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be replaced</span>
You can use passive verbs to create sentences that have similar meaning to sentences with each respective active verb. Structurally the sentences will be different however, because the passive version of a verb cannot act on an object. For example:
- 이 값은 세금을 포함해요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">This price includes tax</span>
- 세금은 포함돼요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The tax is included</span>
---
- 저는 점심을 준비했어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I prepared (the) lunch</span>
- 점심이 준비되었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">(The) lunch was prepared</span>
---
- 회사는 기계를 대체했어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The company replaced the machine</span>
- 기계는 대체되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The machine was replaced</span>
_Adding_ 어 _to_ 되 _creates either_ 되어 _or_ 돼 _with no difference in meaning. For example,_ 되다 _in the present tense can either be 돼 or 되어. In the past tense, it can either be_ 되었다 _or_ 됐다.
Often the speaker wants to indicate _by whom/what_ the lunch was prepared, or by _whom/what_ the machine was replaced. For example:
- The lunch was prepared <em>by the school</em>
- The machine was replaced _by the company_
In the examples above, although we are still using a passive verb, information about how the passive verb occurred is given. This is an example of when it is much more common to use the active form over the passive form in Korean. In Korean (and most likely in English as well), it would be much more natural to say “I prepared the lunch” instead of “The lunch was prepared by me.” Nonetheless, the grammar within these sentences is important, so I need to continue teaching it to you here.
In order to create these sentences, you need to remember that sentences with a predicating passive verb can NOT have an object – which means that you CANNOT attach ~를/을 to “the school” or “the company.” For example, the sentence below would be ridiculous and probably wouldn’t be understood at all:
- ~~점심이 학교를 준비되었어요~~
In these types of sentences, in order to indicate how/by which means the passive verb occurs, you need to use different particles. If this part of a sentence is a person, it is acceptable to attach the particle “에게” to the noun. For example:
- 그것은 이해되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/7-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">It was understood</span>
- 그것은 학생들에게 이해되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">It was understood by the students</span>
---
- 집은 청소되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/9-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The house was cleaned</span>
- 집은 아버지에게 청소되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/10-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The house was cleaned by my dad</span>
_Again, I highly suggest that you refrain from using this passive voice in Korean. I need you to understand what is being introduced here so I can build on it in later lessons. The two sentences above would be **better said as**:_
- 학생들은 그것을 이해했어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The students understood that</span>
- 아버지는 집을 청소했어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My dad cleaned the house</span>
The particle ~에 can be used when this part of a sentence is a non-person. For example:
- 점심이 학교에 준비되었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The lunch was prepared by the school</span>
The particle “~에 의해” can also be attached to nouns that are non-people in these situations, but the distinction between ~에 and ~에 의해 isn’t formally introduced until [Lesson 78](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/upper-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-4-lessons-76-83/lesson-78/), Since I’m advising against using this passive form, it’s best to focus on the current presentation and not skip ahead.
Also, remember the meaning of ~(으)로 which you learned in [Lesson 12](./12-more-particles.md). You learned that ~(으)로 can be used to indicate with what tool/device/method/material something is carried out. This means that you can say something like:
- 저는 집을 청소기로 청소했어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I cleaned the house with a vacuum cleaner</span>
But, if you wanted to say that sentence by using the passive verb (to be cleaned), you would have to again use ~(으)로 as the particle attached to 청소기 because that was the <span class="md spoiler">method/tool</span> that was used for it to be cleaned:
- 집은 청소기**로** 청소되었어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">the house was cleaned by a vacuum cleaner</span>
whereas ~~집은 청소기**에** 청소되었어~~ = is not correct, although most Korean people would probably understand you.
Wow. Confusing.
It’s confusing for me, I’m sure it is confusing to you, and it is actually confusing to Korean people as well – so don’t get too hung up on the difference between ~에/에게 /~(으)로 in these situations because, as I said – Korean people don’t use passive verbs as much as they use active verbs.
What do you need to take from all of this? Because it is so confusing, I wrote the main points that you should know:
1. Clauses ending in a passive verb can never have a word with an object marker (를/을) within the clause.
2. Passive verbs are conjugated just like active verbs, even though they feel like adjectives
3. Though clauses ending in a passive verb cannot have an object in the clause, other particles can be attached to nouns to indicate how the passive action occurred. These particles are usually:
- 에 – to indicate that something occurred due to <span class="md spoiler">a non-person</span>
- 에 의해 – to indicate that something occurred due to <span class="md spoiler">a non-person, but we haven’t studied this specifically yet</span>
- 에게 – to indicate that something occurred due to <span class="md spoiler">a person</span>
- ~(으)로 – to indicate <span class="md spoiler">the tool/method by which</span> something occurred
One other thing. Just because a noun in a passive sentence has the particle ~에 (or ~에게, or ~에 의해 for that matter) attached to it, it doesn’t necessarily mean that is the noun that caused the passive verb to occur. ~에 could also have its more familiar function of <span class="md spoiler">designating a place</span>. For example, we saw this sentence before:
- 세금은 포함돼요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">the tax is included</span>
I could put the noun “값” in the sentence to indicate the location of where the tax is included in.
- 세금은 값에 포함된다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The tax is included in the price</span>
Notice in the example above that the particle “~에” is not denoting that the tax is included _by_ the price. Rather, it is included _in_ the price. Being able to recognize things like this just takes practice and your understanding of this will increase as you progress through your studies. For now, try not to focus too much on the tiny parts of this lessons, and focus more on the big-picture.
## 하다 to 받다
In addition to the usual way of switching 하다 with 되다 to make a passive verb – there is another (similar) way of making these verbs passive. This can only be done with certain verbs (usually acting on people), and is done by switching 하다 with 받다 (<span class="md spoiler">to receive</span>). For example:
- 저는 저의 형을 존경해요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I respect my brother</span>
- 저의 형은 존경 받아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My brother is respected</span> (literally - <span class="md spoiler">my brother receives respect</span>)
The same rules apply with ~에 and ~에게 as described previously:
- 교장선생님은 선생님들에게 존경받아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The principal is respected by the teachers</span>
- 나는 너의 말에\* 감동받았어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was impressed with what you said</span>
\*_Remember that_ 말하다 _means “<span class="md spoiler">to speak</span>.” By removing_ 하다, 말 _becomes <span class="md spoiler">the noun</span> form of “<span class="md spoiler">speak</span>,” which is “<span class="md spoiler">words/the thing you said/what you said/etc…</span>”_
## Non-하다 verbs
So far you have only learned how to change ~하다 verbs into the passive tense. There are, of course many verbs in Korean that don’t end in ~하다. When dealing with words not ending in 하다, there is often a separate (but very similar) word that can be used to indicate the passive voice. These words will always be presented separately in the vocabulary lists. Here are some examples:
- 켜다 = <span class="md spoiler">to turn on</span>
- <TTS>켜지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be turned on</span>
---
- 끄다 = <span class="md spoiler">to turn off</span>
- <TTS>꺼지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be turned off</span>
---
- 닫다 = <span class="md spoiler">to close</span>
- <TTS>닫히다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be closed</span>
_The words above are just some examples of active verbs and their passive equivalents. There are many more of these active-passive pairs, and unfortunately there is no way to instinctively know which one is active and which one is passive. In all of the examples above, the longer word (i.e. the word with one more syllable) is the passive verb. However, sometimes the longer word is the active verb, for example:_
- <TTS>붙다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be attached</span>
- 붙이다 = <span class="md spoiler">to attach</span>
---
- <TTS>끓다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be boiling</span>
- 끓이다 = <span class="md spoiler">to boil</span>
_If you look at these examples, you might think “Oh, so maybe the pattern is – if there is an active-passive pair where “이” is the difference between the two, then the longer word will be the active verb.” Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Here are two other examples of active-passive pairs that show the opposite:_
- 쓰다 = <span class="md spoiler">to write</span>
- <TTS>쓰이다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be written</span>
---
- 보다 = <span class="md spoiler">to see</span>
- <TTS>보이다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be seen</span>
_There are many instances of these active-passive pairs in Korean, and there is no way to know which one is active or which one is passive unless you have specifically memorized it. This is just something that you will have to memorize whenever you come across it. The only thing that is helpful is that the active verb usually looks very similar to the passive verb – with just one syllable added or deleted from the active form._
I talk about passive verbs, and the use of <TTS>줄다</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">to be decreased</span>) and 줄이다 (<span class="md spoiler">to decrease</span>) in this YouTube video.
<YouTube id=K8AqNY6Lyzo />
I also talk about it in this video, where <TTS>열리다</TTS> is used.
<YouTube id=6swm1JYafsE />
You can treat these passive verbs just like the passive verbs you learned in the previous two sections (되다 and 받다 verbs). Make sure you use the passive verb and not the active verb (for example – use <TTS>닫히다</TTS> instead of 닫다 in a passive sentence):
- 밥은 학교에 의해 제공된다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">food is provided by the school</span>
- 밥은 학교에 의해 제공되었다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">food was provided by the school</span>
- 문은 바람에 의해 닫혔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door was closed by the wind</span>
When dealing with these passive verbs however, you need to think about whether or not that passive verb is in the **state** of something. For example, every passive verb you learned in the previous two sections (하다 to 되다 and 하다 to 받다) were **not** passive verbs in the state of something. For example, again:
- 나는 너의 말에 감동받았어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was impressed with what you said</span>
Simply means that you were impressed. It does not mean that you are in the state of being impressed. But, in these sentences:
- The computer is on.
- The TV is off
- The door is locked
All of those nouns are in the **state** of something. The computer is in the state of being on, the TV is in the state of being off, and the door is in the state of locked. To indicate that something “is in the state” of something in Korean, you must add ~아/어 있다 to the passive verb. For example:
_As you know,_ 있다 _has many usages and meanings in Korean. Sometimes_ 있다 *is a verb, and sometimes it is an adjective. When used as ~*아/어 있다 _as described here,_ 있다 _is a verb. For now, this is only important to you when conjugating in the plain form. In the future, there will be other times when this distinction will be important._
- 저는 컴퓨터를 켰어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I turned the computer on</span>
- 컴퓨터가 켜져 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/25-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The computer is (in the state of) on</span>
---
- 저는 TV를 껐어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I turned the TV off</span>
- TV가 꺼져 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The TV is (in the state of) off</span>
---
- 저는 문을 잠갔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I locked the door</span>
- 문이 잠겨 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/29-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door is (in the state of) locked</span>
Notice that ~이/가 is used in the passive sentences above. In most cases, this is usually more natural with these types of sentences. Don’t worry about that for now (I’ll discuss it in [Lesson 17](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-17-25-2/lesson-17/)), and focus more on how the verbs (both active and passive) are being used.
---
I get a lot of people who are confused about this “state” nonsense of these passive verbs. I would like to fully describe how these words can be used to describe that something is in a “state” and compare them to the same passive verb that is not in that state. For example:
- 저는 문을 닫았어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I closed the door</span>
This sentence is an active sentence. It has an active verb, and has an object. This should be no problem.
- 문이 닫혔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door was closed</span>
This is a passive sentence. It is indicating that at some point in the past, the door was closed by something or someone. This is the exact passive equivalent of “저는 문을 닫았어요” – the only difference is that we have no idea who/what closed the door. Though you could assume that the door (after that point) was in the state of “closed” this sentence does not specifically indicate that.
- 문이 바람에 닫혔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door was closed by the wind</span>
This is essentially the same sentence as above, but in this case we know how the door was closed. Again, though you could assume that the door (after that point) was in the state of “closed” this sentence does not specifically indicate that.
- 문이 닫혀 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door was closed</span>
This is another passive sentence, but notice the difference between this sentence and the two examples above. Here, the sentence is specifically indicating that the door was in the state of “closed”. Here, we have absolutely no idea if something/somebody had opened it recently; all we know is that, at that time, the door was not open.
- 저는 문을 닫아요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I close the door</span>
This is another active sentence with an active verb. Though it makes sense, it probably wouldn’t be said like this _unless there was some sort of adverb or other information in the sentence (for example, “I close the door every day at 9:00pm”)_
- 문이 닫혀요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door closes</span>
While technically correct, _you would need some other information to make this sentence more natural (for example, “the door closes every day at 9:00pm”)._ This is the exact passive equivalent of “저는 문을 닫아요” – except for that in this example, there is no information given as to who/what will close the door. The sentence is not referring to the door being in the state of “closed”, but rather, indicating that door somehow closes.
- 문이 닫혀 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-14-s1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door is closed</span>
Notice the difference between this example and the one above. This sentence is not referring to the door closing. It is only stating that the door is currently in the state of “closed”
- 문이 닫힐 거예요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door will close</span>
Again, this example is referring to the door somehow closing. It is the exact passive equivalent of “저는 문을 닫을 거예요” – except for that in this example, there is no information given as to who/what will close the door.
- 문이 닫혀 있을 거예요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The door will be closed</span>
This is a passive sentence that is indicating that the door will be in the state of “closed” in the future. It does not indicate who/what will close the door; all we know is that, at that time in the future, the door will be closed.
Just because an active verb has a passive equivalent, it does not mean you can attach ~아/어 있다 to that word to describe that it is in the “state” of something. Typically this is only done for words like on, off, open, closed, etc…
A good example of this not working with a passive verb is with 속이다 and 속다.
- 속이다 = <span class="md spoiler">to trick somebody</span>
- <TTS>속다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be tricked</span>
---
나는 친구를 속였어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/39.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I tricked my friend</span>
This is an active sentence.
나는 친구에게 속았어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was tricked by my friend</span>
This is a passive sentence
~~나는 속아 있다…~~
… I am… in the state of being tricked.
This doesn’t make sense. Once you’re tricked, you’re tricked. You do not continue being in the state of “tricked” like a door continues to be open once it is open.
Here’s an example that I am including just because I have the audio for it. I’m going to get more example sentences for this lesson shortly with more audio clips:
- 펜이 탁자에 놓여 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The pen was (in the state of) laying on the table</span>
## 내다 and 나다
There are quite a few words in Korean that can either end in 나다 or 내다.
These two play the same role as 되다 and 하다, where a word ending in 나다 is <span class="md spoiler">passive</span> and a word ending in 내다 is <span class="md spoiler">active</span>. For example:
- 끝내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to finish</span>
- 끝나다 = <span class="md spoiler">to be finished</span>
나다 and 내다 can actually be used as _standalone verbs_ as well as be attached to other words. Both of their meanings are very complex and depend heavily on the situation, but their general meanings are:
- 나다 = <span class="md spoiler">for something to come up/arise/occur</span>
- 내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to make something come up/arise/occur</span>
However, not all words ending in 나다 have an equivalent 내다 verb (and vice-versa). For example, <TTS>어긋나다</TTS> is a word (<span class="md spoiler">to be out of step with something</span>) but 어긋내다 is not a word. At any rate, the two most common words ending in 나다/내다 are:
- 끝내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to finish</span>
- 끝나다 = <span class="md spoiler">to be finished</span>
---
- 고장 내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to break</span>
- <TTS>고장 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be broken</span>
It is very common to use the past tense conjugation of both of these words in the passive voice even when the thing is currently broken/finished. In English, we would say these sentences in the present tense, but in theory the thing/task was broken/finished in the past. For example:
- 숙제는 끝났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/42.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">My homework is finished</span>
- 컴퓨터는 고장 났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/43-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">The computer is broken</span>
It is possible to use the active voice to express these sentences, but the use of “나다” (as seen above) is more common than the use of 내다 in these cases. Nonetheless, the following are acceptable:
- 저는 숙제를 끝냈어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/44.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I finished my homework</span>
- 저는 컴퓨터를 고장냈어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/45.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I broke the computer</span>
As I said before, 나다 itself means “<span class="md spoiler">for something to come up/arise/occur</span>” which means it can be used in a lot of sentences to indicate that some noun “<span class="md spoiler">comes up</span>”. Three common ways to use 나다 are with <TTS>기억</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">a memory</span>) with <TTS>생각</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">a thought</span>) and with <TTS>냄새</TTS> (<span class="md spoiler">a smell</span>):
- 아! 그것이 기억났다! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/46.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Ah! I remember that!</span> (Literally – <span class="md spoiler">my memory came up</span>)
- 좋은 생각이 났어요! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/47-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I have a good idea</span> (Literally – <span class="md spoiler">a good idea came up</span>)
- 그 가방에서 냄새가 났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That bag is smelly</span> (<span class="md spoiler">A smell is coming out of that bag</span>)
- 그 방에서 냄새가 났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That room is smelly</span> (<span class="md spoiler">A smell is coming out of that room</span>)
_Remember that_ 나다 *is a passive verb and cannot act on an object. Therefore, the particle ~*이/가 *must be used on “*것*.” You will learn more about this sentence structure in the [next lesson](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-9-16/lesson-15/#m3).*
Another common example of “나다” in use is in the following phrase:
- 큰 일 났어요! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-20.mp3" />
Literally, this translates to “<span class="md spoiler">a big thing/task/work came up!</span>” In Korean, this expression is used similar to the expression “<span class="md spoiler">Oh no! Something bad just happened</span>!” A more common expression would probably be “<span class="md spoiler">Oh crap!</span>”
You will see “나다” used with many other words throughout your Korean studies. The most common examples of 나다 (or it’s active 내다 form) are the examples above. Other common examples that you will learn shortly are provided below. I haven’t included these words in the vocabulary list above, so you don’t need to memorize them now. I am simply introducing them to you at this point because they are related to this topic.
- 소리 = <span class="md spoiler">sound</span>
- <TTS>소리가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">the verb of a sound happening (for a sound to “come up”)</span>
---
- 화 = <span class="md spoiler">anger, rage</span>
- <TTS>화가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be angry (for anger to “come up”)</span>
---
- 사고 = <span class="md spoiler">accident</span>
- <TTS>사고가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get into an accident (for an accident to “arise”)</span>
---
- 땀 = <span class="md spoiler">sweat</span>
- <TTS>땀이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be sweating (for sweat to “come up”)</span>
---
- 전쟁 = <span class="md spoiler">war</span>
- <TTS>전쟁이 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for a war to start (for a war to “come up”)</span>
---
- 멀미 = <span class="md spoiler">motion sickness</span>
- <TTS>멀미가 나다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for motion sickness to “come up”</span>
In a lot of these cases, you will see 나다 conjugated into the past tense when we as English speakers would think of the situation in the present tense. To explain this phenomenon, let me bring up an example from before:
- 아! 그것이 기억났다! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/46.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Ah! I remember that!</span>
Notice here that 나다 is conjugated to the past but I have translated the English sentence into the present tense. If you imagine your memory as a thing that can “come up,” in theory, the memory had already came up before you said that sentence – therefore making it in the past tense. Here, the context of the conversation can inform you if the speaker is referring to something in the past or present tense.
It is possible to use these words in the present tense, but that would mean that the noun is _currently_ coming up. A good example from that list above would be:
- 땀이 났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I’m sweating</span>
Here again, you can see 나다 conjugated to the past tense but the English sentence is translated into the present tense. Just by the nature of the word “나다” (<span class="md spoiler">to come out</span>) in Korean, when sweat has “come out” of your body it means that you now have sweat on your body which we as English speakers would say as “<span class="md spoiler">I’m sweating.</span>”
When 나다 is conjugating into the present tense in these cases, it insinuates that the thing is currently “coming up.” In most situations, the difference is negligible and distinguishing them would really be splitting hairs.
However, let’s split some hairs:
- 땀이 났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Sweat was coming out of my body… </span>
which means that there is currently sweat on my body… which means that I am wet from the sweat on my body that had previously come out of my body.
- 땀이 나요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-14-s2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Sweat is literally currently coming out of my body</span>
---
- 저는 그것이 기억났어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I remembered that… </span>
which means that I also currently remember that fact… which means that I know that fact that I had previously remembered
- 저는 그것이 기억나요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That memory is literally currently just coming to my mind</span>
---
Really, this whole past/present thing is quite advanced and is not something I developed an understanding of until many years of exposure to Korean. As a beginner (you are still a beginner if you are only at Lesson 14!) you probably don’t need to worry about splitting these hairs. However, when I was learning, I would have wanted this to be explained to me at some point, so here I am explaining it to you.
I should point out that we don’t see this same phenomenon when these words are used in negative sentences. For example, if I say:
- 그것이 기억이 안 났어
Does the fact of your memory “_not_ coming up” mean that it is currently not up when you said the sentence? Huh…. I can’t even wrap my head around that sentence.
This type of past-tense-conjugated negative sentence with 나다 would _only_ be used to say that you didn’t remember something sometime in the past. If you want to say that you cannot currently remember something, you can use the present tense conjugation. For example:
- 나는 그때 기억이 안 났어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I didn’t remember (that) at that time</span>
- 나는 그것이 기억 안 나 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-14-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t remember that</span>
## Normal verbs
So far, you’ve learned about dealing with 하다/되다/받다 verbs, verbs that can be in a state (닫다/닫히다) and 나다/내다 verbs. Sometimes, however, a verb that fits none of these conditions can be put into the passive voice. All that needs to be done in these cases is to add ~아/어지다 to the verb stem to make it passive. Note that this cannot be done with all verbs, but some common examples are:
- 주다 = <span class="md spoiler">to give</span>
- <TTS>주어지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be given</span>
(Note that the word is 주어지다 and _not_ 줘지다)
- 짓다 = <span class="md spoiler">to build</span>
- <TTS>지어지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be built</span> (짓 + 어 = 지어) + 지다 = 지어지다
---
- 기회가 주어졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/57.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was given a chance</span>
- 그 집은 한국에서 지어졌어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/58.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">that house was built in Korea</span>
That’s it!
I warned you earlier, there was a _lot_ of grammar in this lesson. Though all of the grammar in this lesson is very important, and must be understood to continue your development of Korean – keep in mind that it is always more natural to use active sentences instead of passive sentences in Korean.
I’m sure you are very confused! But I did my best to describe everything somebody would need to know when having to worry about the passive voice in Korean.
[Okay, I got it! Take me to the next lesson!](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/?page_id=1166) Or,
[Click here for a workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks#Unit1916)
That’s it for this lesson!
<em>There are 1250 example sentences in Unit 1.
All entries are linked to an audio file. You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/).</em>
## Summary
<YouTube id=Cx2s8r3Cc_8 />
Want to try to create some sentences using the vocabulary and grammar from this lesson?
This YouTube video will prompt you to translate English sentences into Korean using the concepts from this lesson.
---
<YouTube id=ok8YwMNQjak />
Want to practice your listening skills?
This YouTube video will prompt you with Korean sentences to dictate using the concepts from this lesson.
---
[Lesson Recap]
<YouTube id=_INDP1xP9vA />
Reference in new issue View Git Blame Copy Permalink