Passive and causative basics
Korean changes the verb form to foreground what was affected or to show that one participant caused another action.
Examples
KoreanTranslation
문이 저절로 닫혔어요。Muni jeojeollo dacheosseoyo.
The door closed on its own / was closed.
선생님이 학생들을 조용히 앉혔어요。Seonsaengnimi haksaengdeureul joyonghi anjyeosseoyo.
The teacher made the students sit quietly.
이 이름은 자주 틀리게 쓰여요。I ireumeun jaju teullige sseuyeoyo.
This name is often written incorrectly.
Pattern
passive/causative verb form
How it works
Korean changes the verb form to foreground what was affected or to show that one participant caused another action. This pattern typically appears as passive/causative verb form and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- The passive changes which participant is foregrounded.
- The causative introduces causing, letting, or making another action happen.
Why it matters
Express information more indirectly, formally, or at a distance.
Use in context
These forms matter because many advanced texts shift focus away from the actor in this way.