受け身
Meanings
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
the defensive; being on the defensive
Used in contexts like sports, debates, or conflicts to indicate a defensive posture or being forced to react.
We were on the defensive throughout the match.
It's not good to take a passive stance in a debate.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
passive attitude; passivity
Describes a person's tendency to wait for things to happen rather than taking initiative; often used critically.
He has a passive personality and doesn't take action on his own.
If you remain passive, you'll miss opportunities.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
passive voice; the passive
Grammar term for the passive voice; often used in linguistic explanations.
The Japanese passive is formed with 'reru/rareru'.
Please rewrite this sentence in the passive voice.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
ukemi; breakfall; art of falling safely
Martial arts term for techniques used to receive a throw or fall safely; often left as 'ukemi' in English.
In judo, you first learn ukemi (breakfalls).
People who are good at ukemi are less likely to get injured.
Usage patterns
- 受け身になるto become passive
He always ends up being passive at work.
- 受け身を取るto break one's fall (ukemi)
In judo, it's important to take ukemi when you fall.
- 受け身に立つto be put on the defensive
I was put on the defensive in the argument.
- 〈事〉を受け身にするto put (a sentence) into the passive voice
If you make this sentence passive, the meaning changes.
- 受け身な〈人〉a passive (person)
She's always a passive person when it comes to romance.