-이- · -히- · -리- · -기- – Korean passive verbs
- Meaning
- be done (by someone)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Topic
- Causative & passive
The passive is often a separate verb made with a suffix: 보다 → 보이다 (to be seen), 잡다 → 잡히다 (to be caught), 열다 → 열리다 (to be opened), 안다 → 안기다 (to be hugged).
Key rules
- 히 passive very common
- Subject experiences action
- Different from causative
- 리 passive suffix
- Same forms, different meaning
- Context is key
- Victim perspective
- Negative experience
Examples with -이- · -히- · -리- · -기-
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 문이 닫혔어요 Mun-i dathyeosseoyo The door was closed 닫다 → 닫히다 (passive with 히). Door closes by itself.
- 편지가 쓰여졌어요 Pyeonji-ga sseuyeojyeosseoyo The letter was written 쓰다 → 쓰이다 (passive with 이).
- 책이 읽혔어요 Chaek-i ilkhyeosseoyo The book was read 읽다 → 읽히다 (passive with 히).
- 사진이 찍혔어요 Sajin-i jjikhyeosseoyo The photo was taken 찍다 → 찍히다 (passive with 히).
- 돈이 도둑맞았어요 Don-i dodungmajasseoyo The money was stolen 도둑맞다 is passive idiom for theft.
- 아이가 안겼어요 Ai-ga angyeosseoyo The child was held/carried 안다 → 안기다 (passive with 기).
- 손이 잡혔어요 Son-i japhyeosseoyo The hand was caught 잡다 → 잡히다 (passive with 히).
- 옷이 걸렸어요 Os-i geollyeosseoyo The clothes were hung 걸다 → 걸리다 (passive with 리).
- 비에 맞았어요 Bi-e majasseoyo I got caught in the rain 비를 맞다 = get hit by rain.
- 개에게 물렸어요 Gae-ege mullyeosseoyo I got bitten by a dog 물다 → 물리다 (passive).
- 벌에게 쏘였어요 Beol-ege ssoyeosseoyo I got stung by a bee 쏘다 → 쏘이다 (passive).
- 선생님께 혼났어요 Seonsaengnim-kke honnasseoyo I got scolded by the teacher 혼나다 = get in trouble/scolded.
Use -이- · -히- · -리- · -기- in your own sentences
Write, fill in and build Korean sentences with instant feedback. Free to start, no account needed.
More: causative & passive
Keep practicing: All Korean grammar Korean grammar practice Korean fill in the blank Korean sentence builder Hangul chart Daily Korean quiz