A passive-shaped verb can honor the person performing an action, such as a teacher or customer.
The idea
For godan verbs change the final u sound to a and add れる: 読む → 読まれる. For ichidan verbs replace る with られる: 見る → 見られる. Add polite endings as needed.
| Dictionary form | Respectful form |
|---|---|
| 読む | 読まれる |
| 書く | 書かれる |
| 見る | 見られる |
Examples
- 先生は報告書を読まれます。The teacher reads the report.
- 部長はお帰りになります。The director is going home.
- お客様は会議で話されます。The guest will speak at the meeting.
- 教授はこの本を書かれました。The professor wrote this book.
- お客様はあちらで待っておられます。The customer is waiting over there.
- 先生はもう資料を見られましたか。Has the teacher already seen the materials?
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Watch out
The same form can mark passive or potential meaning; context identifies the actor and meaning. Do not use this honorific for your own actions; special forms such as ご覧になる may be preferable.
Try it yourself
先生は本を＿。（読まれます／読みます）
Show answer or example answer
読まれます
読まれます honors the teacher who reads; the report remains the object.
教授は論文を＿。（書かれました／書きました）
Show answer or example answer
書かれました
書かれました is the polite past respectful form of 書く.
先生は資料を＿か。（見られました／見ました）
Show answer or example answer
見られました
見られました is the polite past form of 見る; context makes the teacher the actor.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
先生は本を＿。（読まれます／読みます）
教授は論文を＿。（書かれました／書きました）
先生は資料を＿か。（見られました／見ました）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Choose the respectful form for each teacher or professor, then describe a guest’s action respectfully.