Do you automatically pick "passive" every time you see られる?
Try this question:
先生はもうお帰りになられた。
What use of られた is this? A. Passive B. Potential C. Spontaneous D. Honorific
If you chose A, congratulations — you fell into the classic trap. The correct answer is D. Honorific.
The 4 Faces of れる・られる
Japanese れる・られる has 4 completely different meanings, all looking exactly the same. Distinguishing them is a core test point from N4 to N2.
1. Passive (受身)
The most basic use: "something was done to someone."
Key marker: There's usually a に marking the person who performs the action.
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妹に日記を読まれた。 → My diary was read by my sister. (Adversative passive — my diary!)
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この曲は世界中で愛されている。 → This song is loved around the world. (General passive)
2. Potential
Expresses "able to do something."
Key marker: Context of ability or possibility, similar to できる.
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辛いものは全く食べられない。 → I can't eat spicy food at all.
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この席からはステージがよく見られる。 → You can see the stage clearly from this seat.
3. Spontaneous (自発)
Expresses "involuntarily/naturally doing something." The subject is always oneself, and the verb relates to thought or emotion.
Key marker: Subject = oneself, verb = thinking/feeling (思う, 考える, 偲ぶ, 案じる, etc.)
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故郷の風景が自然と思い出される。 → The scenery of my hometown naturally comes to mind.
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この事件の背景には、何か深い事情があると思われる。 → One can't help but think there's something deeper behind this incident.
4. Honorific (尊敬)
Shows respect for the actions of superiors or elders.
Key marker: The subject is someone you show respect to (teacher, boss, elder, etc.)
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部長は先に帰られました。 → The manager left first. (Honorific)
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お客様はもう届け出を出されましたか。 → Has the customer already submitted the application? (Honorific)
3-Step Decision Method
Not sure which use it is? Follow this order:
| Step | Look at | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Is the subject someone deserving respect? | → Honorific |
| ② | Subject is oneself + thinking/emotion verb? | → Spontaneous |
| ③ | Is there a に marking the doer? | → Passive |
| Fallback | None of the above | → Potential |
Mnemonic (Japanese): 敬→自→被→能 (Honorific → Spontaneous → Passive → Potential)
Self-Test
Try identifying the use of れる・られる in these 3 sentences:
Q1. 隣の人にずっと話しかけられて、集中できなかった。
Show answer
Passive (adversative). 隣の人に marks the doer, and the speaker suffered (couldn't concentrate).
Q2. 将来のことを考えると、不安が感じられる。
Show answer
Spontaneous. The subject is oneself, 感じる is an emotion verb — "I can't help but feel anxious."
Q3. 校長先生が卒業式でお話をされた。
Show answer
Honorific. The subject 校長先生 is someone deserving respect; された expresses that respect.
Summary
- れる・られる has 4 uses — don't default to passive every time
- Decision order: Check the subject first (honorific? oneself?), then check for a doer (passive?), then potential
- Spontaneous requires two conditions: subject is oneself + thinking/emotion verb