사면하다 (sa-myeon-ha-da, samyeonhada) · 사면되다 (sa-myeon-doe-da, samyeondoeda)
사면하다 (samyeonhada) means the subject pardons someone, while 사면되다 (samyeondoeda) means the subject is pardoned.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To directly pardon or exempt someone from punishment
When to use
Subject pardoning, Authority expressing pardon, Direct act of pardoning
The nuance
Use when the subject actively pardons someone, usually government, president, or king.
Passive expression indicating someone is pardoned or exempted from punishment
When to use
Recipient of pardon, Expressing pardon result, Passive state description
The nuance
Use when the subject is the one being pardoned, i.e., the recipient of pardon.
대통령이 죄수를 사면했다.
dae-tong-ryeong-i joe-su-reul sa-myeon-haess-da., dae tong ryeong i joe su reul sa myeon haess da.
The president is the subject actively pardoning, so 사면하다 is correct.
죄수가 대통령에게 사면했다.
joe-su-ga dae-tong-ryeong-e-ge sa-myeon-haess-da., joe su ga dae tong ryeong e ge sa myeon haess da.
A prisoner cannot be the pardoning subject; use 사면되다 instead.
그는 사면되었다.
geu-neun sa-myeon-doe-eoss-da., geu neun sa myeon doe eoss da.
The subject is the recipient of pardon, so passive 사면되다 is correct.
그는 사면했다.
geu-neun sa-myeon-haess-da., geu neun sa myeon haess da.
If the subject is the criminal, 사면하다 cannot be used; use 사면되다.
정부가 범죄자를 사면했다.
jeong-bu-ga beom-joe-ja-reul sa-myeon-haess-da., jeong bu ga beom joe ja reul sa myeon haess da.
The government is the pardoning subject, so 사면하다 is appropriate.
범죄자가 정부에게 사면되었다.
beom-joe-ja-ga jeong-bu-e-ge sa-myeon-doe-eoss-da., beom joe ja ga jeong bu e ge sa myeon doe eoss da.
The criminal is the recipient of pardon, so passive 사면되다 is correct.
대통령이 사면되었다.
dae-tong-ryeong-i sa-myeon-doe-eoss-da., dae tong ryeong i sa myeon doe eoss da.
If the president is the recipient of pardon, passive 사면되다 is correct.
대통령이 사면했다.
dae-tong-ryeong-i sa-myeon-haess-da., dae tong ryeong i sa myeon haess da.
The president is the pardoning subject, so 사면하다 is correct.
Which sentence should use 사면하다?
Which sentence should use 사면되다?
