사동 (sa-dong, sadong) · 피동 (pi-dong, pidong) · 사역 (sa-yeok, sayeok)
사동, 피동, and 사역 all express relationships between subject and action, but 사동 means 'to make someone do', 피동 means 'to be acted upon', and 사역 means 'to have someone do'.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates making someone else perform an action
When to use
Making others act, Giving orders or requests, Active causation
The nuance
Attach causative suffixes (-이-, -히-, -리-, -기-) to verbs to express that the subject causes someone else to do the action.
Indicates the subject is acted upon by someone or something else
When to use
Subject is affected, Receiving harm or influence, Passive state
The nuance
Attach passive suffixes (-이-, -히-, -리-, -기-) to verbs to express that the subject is passively affected by an action.
Indicates having someone else perform an action
When to use
Permission or command, Indirect causation, Delegation of action
The nuance
Use verbs like '시키다' or '하게 하다' to express that the subject permits or commands someone else to perform an action.
선생님이 학생에게 책을 읽히셨다.
seon-saeng-nim-i hak-saeng-e-ge chaek-eul ik-hi-syeoss-da., seon saeng nim i hak saeng e ge chaek eul ik hi syeoss da.
Correct causative form meaning the teacher made the student read a book.
학생이 책을 읽히셨다.
hak-saeng-i chaek-eul ik-hi-syeoss-da., hak saeng i chaek eul ik hi syeoss da.
Passive form but subject is student, so it’s illogical; student reads by themselves, so causative or active form needed.
엄마가 아이를 재우셨다.
eom-ma-ga a-i-reul jae-u-syeoss-da., eom ma ga a i reul jae u syeoss da.
Correct causative expression meaning mother put the child to sleep.
아이에게 재워졌다.
a-i-e-ge jae-wo-jyeoss-da., a i e ge jae wo jyeoss da.
Passive form with 'child' as subject is unnatural; usually not used this way.
사장은 직원에게 일을 시켰다.
sa-jang-eun jik-won-e-ge il-eul si-kyeoss-da., sa jang eun jik won e ge il eul si kyeoss da.
Correct causative expression where boss orders employee to work.
직원이 일 시켰다.
jik-won-i il si-kyeoss-da., jik won i il si kyeoss da.
Incorrect because employee is subject but sentence implies they ordered work; illogical unless employee caused someone else to work.
문이 열렸다.
mun-i yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i yeol ryeoss da.
Correct passive form meaning the door was opened by someone.
문이 열렸다.
mun-i yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i yeol ryeoss da.
Natural passive sentence expressing the door was opened without specifying agent.
Which sentence correctly uses 사동?
Which sentence is appropriate passive?
Which sentence is a 사역 expression?
