능동 (neung-dong, neungdong) · 수동 (su-dong, sudong) · 사역 (sa-yeok, sayeok)
능동 means the subject acts directly, 수동 means the subject receives the action, and 사역 means the subject makes someone else perform the action.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Sentence form where the subject performs the action directly
When to use
Subject acting directly, Emphasizing doer, Everyday conversation, Describing own action
The nuance
Used when the subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is in active voice.
Sentence form where the subject receives the action from someone else
When to use
Subject receiving action, Describing harm or damage, Formal documents, Objective description
The nuance
Used when the subject is the receiver of the action, and the verb is in passive voice.
Sentence form where the subject makes someone else perform an action
When to use
Making others act, Commands or permission, Educational settings, Work instructions
The nuance
Used when the subject causes or allows another person to do an action, and the verb is in causative form.
나는 책을 읽는다.
na-neun chaek-eul ik-neun-da., na neun chaek eul ik neun da.
Active sentence where the subject performs the action directly.
책이 나에게 읽힌다.
chaek-i na-e-ge ik-hin-da., chaek i na e ge ik hin da.
Passive sentence where the subject (book) receives the action.
나는 동생에게 책을 읽힌다.
na-neun dong-saeng-e-ge chaek-eul ik-hin-da., na neun dong saeng e ge chaek eul ik hin da.
Causative sentence where the subject makes someone else read.
나는 동생이 책을 읽는다.
na-neun dong-saeng-i chaek-eul ik-neun-da., na neun dong saeng i chaek eul ik neun da.
Active sentence where the younger sibling performs the action.
나는 동생이 책을 읽힌다.
na-neun dong-saeng-i chaek-eul ik-hin-da., na neun dong saeng i chaek eul ik hin da.
‘읽힌다’ is passive/causative, but 동생 is subject receiving action incorrectly here.
책이 나에게 읽는다.
chaek-i na-e-ge ik-neun-da., chaek i na e ge ik neun da.
Book cannot be subject doing the action, so active sentence is incorrect.
나는 친구에게 숙제를 하게 한다.
na-neun chin-gu-e-ge suk-je-reul ha-ge han-da., na neun chin gu e ge suk je reul ha ge han da.
Causative sentence where subject makes friend do homework.
Which sentence is causative?
Which is a correct active sentence?
Which sentence is passive?
