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Grammar detail: using passive form as honorific
using passive form as honorific
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My current mastery of this grammar:
The passive form can be used as an honorific form, i.e. a polite form when describing the action of a third party respectfully, or talking humbly to a 'superior'.
It can be difficult to tell whether this form is intended as passive or honorific. Generally the grammar of the sentence will provide enough clues. In the example above, the use of お (the honorific prefix) before
てがみ
provides one necessary clue. Additionally, if the verb was passive and the meaning was 'a letter was written by Mr Smith', the particle に would have to be used instead of the subject marker は.See also:
- お - honorific / humble prefix
Kanji used in this grammar
セイ ショウ life なま raw いかす to enliven いきる to live いける to arrange flowers うまれる to be born うむ to give birth to き pure, undiluted おう to grow, to sprout はえる to grow, to sprout はやす to grow, cultivate
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